Melvin Petersen, 55, of St. Thomas, was sentenced Wednesday to 31 months in prison for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, acting U.S. Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett announced.
District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez also sentenced Petersen to three years of supervised release, and ordered him to forfeit $6,726 to the United States.
Petersen pleaded guilty Dec. 12 to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. According to documents filed with the court, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant on Petersen’s residence on Sept. 27 and found him in possession of approximately 280 grams of cocaine and $6,726 in cash. Petersen had no lawful employment.
The case was investigated by the ATF. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith J. Edwards.