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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsPolice & CourtsDR Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm Charge

DR Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm Charge

Cristian Lopez-Moncion, 35, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court on St. Thomas to possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, acting United States Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett said.

According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on Aug. 6, the V.I. Police Department responded to Main Street, after a report of shots fired. Lopez-Moncion admitted that he was in possession of a Glock 9 mm firearm. The Glock was examined and determined that it had been modified to operate as a fully automatic firearm. It was determined that Lopez-Moncion is not a legal resident of the United States and is not licensed to possess a firearm in the Virgin Islands.

Lopez-Moncion faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date has been set for Oct. 13.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the VIPD, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.

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