Gregory Williams, 34, of St. Thomas, made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller Tuesday after being charged as a felon in possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, acting U.S. Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett announced.
At the preliminary and detention hearing, Magistrate Judge Miller found probable cause for the charges and detained Williams pending trial.
According to the criminal complaint, Williams had an altercation with his girlfriend, resulting in his arrest on local charges of domestic violence. While on release, Williams intimidated and threatened the victim, who reported the harassment to the Virgin Islands Police Department. The criminal complaint further states that when VIPD located Williams in the area of General Gade, Williams fled to avoid capture and in the process tossed a firearm.
When VIPD recovered the firearm, the serial number had been removed. Williams is a convicted felon and is not authorized to possess a firearm. Possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number is a violation of federal law.
Under federal law, if convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Williams faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the V.I. Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Everard E. Potter.