Michael A. Lewis, 36, of St. Thomas pleaded guilty Wednesday in District Court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 3.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on June 23, V.I Police Department officers attempted to conduct a field interview with Lewis, who fled from officers on foot. As Lewis was running from VIPD officers, the butt of a firearm was seen protruding from his front-right pants pocket, documents indicate.
Lewis was later apprehended in a residence where he discarded three firearms, which the officers recovered.
As a convicted felon who is not authorized to possess a firearm, Lewis faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case is the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the VIPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte is prosecuting it.
