ST. THOMAS — A police operation conducted in the Red Hook area Thursday led to the arrests of a man and woman on drugs and weapons charges, V.I. Department of Justice Public Media Officer Corliss Smithen announced Friday.
Jamarl Jacobs, 36, of Estate Lovenlund and Yocelin Franco Roa, 36, of Altona appeared before V.I. Superior Court Magistrate Carolyn Hermon Percell on Friday morning following their arrests in the pre-dawn hours of Thursday. Based on the probable cause fact sheet, Magistrate Hermon Percell determined that there was sufficient evidence to support the charges of constructive possession of an unlicensed firearm and constructive possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute for each of the two.
Magistrate Hermon Percell set bail for Jacobs at $25,000 and imposed a number of bail conditions, which include a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily curfew. Bail for Roa was set at $15,000; however, the court ordered her to provide written confirmation of her residence before she can be released from custody. Both were also ordered to surrender their passports.
A probable cause fact sheet filed by Det. Cornel Esprit states that on Feb. 2 at approximately 2:11 a.m., a group of police officers was conducting a traffic stop at the Total Gas station in Red Hook when they observed Jacobs repeatedly going in and out of the vehicle he was driving. Police ordered two women who were sitting inside the vehicle to get out of the vehicle and they complied.
Jacobs, who was seated in the driver’s seat, was also ordered to step out of the vehicle. When he did, Det. Esprit inspected the vehicle and saw, in plain view, a black bag with a handle slightly sticking out from under the seat. Esprit touched the bag and felt magazines for a firearm. The bag also contained a Glock handgun and four magazines for various caliber of guns, Det. Esprit wrote.
Officers also searched inside of the vehicle’s glove compartment and found at least 17 small bags of marijuana concealed inside two snack containers, according to Det. Esprit.
Jacobs and Roa are scheduled to make their second court appearance on Feb. 16 for their arraignment hearing, at which they each will formally enter pleas to the charges.
Feature Image: Example of a Glock handgun and magazine.
Tags: 36, Jamarl Jacobs, of Altona, of Estate Lovenlund and Yocelin Franco Roa, st thomas, us virgin islands
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