Kishawn Lopez, 35, of St. Croix, was charged and detained by U.S. Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson after being charged with possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Monday.
According to court documents, on Nov. 8, federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Lopez’s Frederiksted home. During the search, agents recovered more than 30 firearms, including multiple “ghost guns,” assault rifles, and other handguns. “Ghost guns” are assembled from firearm kits which can be purchased from various kit manufacturers or secondary retailers. “Ghost guns” are unregistered, lack serial numbers and are untraceable. During the search, agents also recovered approximately 5830 rounds of ammunition and a cache of extended magazines. In 2011, Lopez was convicted of firearm possession in federal court and was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment.
“The rate of gun violence in the Virgin Islands is unacceptable, and the proliferation of ghost guns and other illegal firearms is a main source of the problem,” said Smith. “Working in collaboration with our federal and local law enforcement partners, we are committed to taking ghost guns and other illegal firearms off the streets. Targeting firearms traffickers and those who illegally possess firearms is a priority for this office, and those who commit such crimes will be brought to justice,” she said.
