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HomeNewsArchivesWoman Who Hid Sons' Weapons Sentenced for Possession of Marijuana, Firearms

Woman Who Hid Sons' Weapons Sentenced for Possession of Marijuana, Firearms

Feb. 11, 2009 — Audrey Peter of St. Croix was sentenced Tuesday to 15 months in prison for possession of marijuana and a year for possession of firearms, the mandatory minimum sentence required by V.I. law.
The sentences, handed down by District Court Judge Raymond Finch, are to run concurrently.
The case grew out of an incident that occurred Nov. 18, 2005. According to evidence presented at her trial, Peter received a phone call from someone indicating that her son had just been arrested and that she should go home and "make sure the house is clean." Peter traveled to her house and removed two firearms and placed them in her vehicle, according to testimony.
Law-enforcement agents were monitoring the call and rushed to Peter's house. When they arrived, Peter consented to a search of the house, which uncovered ammunition in her son's room but no firearms. Peter then refused to consent to a search of her car and physically tried to block officers' entry to the car after they obtained a search warrant.
The search of the car uncovered the two firearms, and a perimeter search around the house revealed 54 marijuana plants growing in the backyard.
Peter had a jury trial in federal court on St. Croix and, on Dec. 12, 2007, was found guilty of aiding and abetting her son, Jamoy Stevens, in possession of the firearms in violation of V.I. law, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in violation of federal law.
In announcing the sentencing this week, Acting U.S. Attorney Paul A. Murphy noted that there is an important message in this case for those who assist others in the commission of crimes that contribute to illegal drugs and violence in the territory.
"Those who participate in, aid and abet, or seek to conceal crimes, or seek to obstruct the investigation of crimes, such as by hiding evidence, should take notice that such conduct is as serious as the underlying crime and will be prosecuted just as vigorously," he said. "Family members such as Peter, who choose to participate in these very serious crimes, must realize that they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Parents, siblings, friends and associates who support the principal perpetrators of he crime are just as guilty, and they contribute to the significant level of crime and violence that pervades our community."
Family members such as Peter should be setting an example for their children and seeking to keep their children from committing crimes, not participating in the crimes with their children, Murphy said.
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