One man was found guilty Tuesday in District Court and another was held on firearm and drug charges Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
According to Shappert:
– Le’Quan Registe, 25, of St. Thomas, was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute marijuana after a jury trial in District Court. The jury trial took place Monday, with jury deliberations commencing and concluding Tuesday.
Registe was acquitted of an additional charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of marijuana distribution.
According to trial testimony, on May 18, 2018, during a search of Registe’s vehicle, officers of the V.I. Police Department located quantities of marijuana on the gear shift, on top of and underneath the front passenger seat, as well as in a backpack on the backseat. Officers also found $3,400 in a hidden compartment of the steering wheel, a police scanner, baggies, a digital scale, and a firearm.
After trial, Registe was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service. Sentencing is set for Aug. 29.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the VIPD and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith J. Edwards and George Andrew Massucco- LaTaif.
– Aubrey Frett, 30, of St. Thomas, was arrested Wednesday on an indictment charging him with possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert, announced.
Frett made his initial District Court appearance before Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller and was detained pending further proceedings, which are scheduled for May 9.
According to the indictment, on Sept. 3, 2018, Frett was in possession of marijuana, crack cocaine and a firearm with an obliterated serial number when officers from the V.I. Police Department detained him on an unrelated matter.
If convicted of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, Frett faces a term of imprisonment of not more than five years and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, a term of not more than 20 years and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, a term of not more than five years in prison.
On the possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, Frett faces a consecutive five-year term of imprisonment.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the VIPD investigated this matter and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant United U.S. Attorney Everard Potter.
