Attorney General Denise George announced Thursday that Ana M. Magras, Melanie Adames, Jamarie K. Grigg and Flavel Magras were arraigned in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands on the formal criminal charges filed against them.
The defendants are charged with attempted murder in the first-degree (four counts), assault in the first-degree (four counts), discharging or aiming a firearm (four counts), unauthorized possession of a firearm (eight counts), possession of ammunition (eight counts) and assault in the third-degree (four counts).
If convicted of attempted murder in the first-degree, the defendants face 25 years imprisonment. For attempted murder in the first-degree, the punishment is imprisonment of not more than 15 years. For discharging or aiming a firearm, the punishment is imprisonment for more than one year. For unauthorized possession of a firearm, the defendants face imprisonment of not less than 10 years, fines of between $10,000-15,000 or both. For possession of ammunition, they face imprisonment of up to seven years or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both. For assault in the third-degree, the punishment is a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $3,000, or imprisonment of not more than five years, or both.
According to the affidavit filed by Detective Michael Simmonds, on Saturday, Oct. 5, at approximately 5:40 a.m., the Virgin Islands Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau along with local law enforcement officers executed a search and arrest warrant in Catherine’s Rest, Christiansted during Operation “Cool Out.”
The warrant was issued by Magistrate Judge Miguel Camacho on Friday, Oct. 4, in reference to an attempted murder. Upon entry, a shot was allegedly fired from inside the dwelling, striking one of the officers.
The team of officers were able to breach the dwelling and found four adults: Flavel Magras, Grigg, Ana M. Magras and Adames, along with five minor children inside. A search by officers of the dwelling also revealed guns and ammunition that were retrieved based on the search warrant.
At arraignment, the defendants entered not guilty pleas to all the charges.
Attorney General George cautions the public that the defendants are not guilty of the offenses charged unless or until they are proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
