United States Attorney Delia L. Smith’s office has announced a hard-hitting victory for the Virgin Islands as a federal jury convicted Romeo Walter, 42, and Kenan Thomas, 37, of St. Thomas, on federal and local firearms charges.
The brothers were accused of felon in possession of firearms and unauthorized possession of firearms following a six-day trial that concluded this week. Sentencings are set for October 25, 2024, under the stern gaze of Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy.
According to evidence presented during the trial, on April 8, 2020, Virgin Islands Police Department officers were responding to a wave of violence when they caught Walter and Thomas in the act. The surveillance footage showed the brothers and two accomplices climbing over a railing with bags, only to be pursued by police.
Thomas was caught with an arsenal including an AK-47, Glock 20, Glock 21, and AR-15 loaded with rounds. His brother Walter, along with Akeem Julien and Nijontea Walker, were also identified in the video. Julien pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Walker followed suit, pleading guilty on May 22, 2020, and receiving a similar sentence. DNA evidence linked Walter to the firearms, leading to his arrest in Oklahoma in September 2020.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, which employs a multi-agency approach to dismantle criminal organizations. Assistant United States Attorneys Natasha Baker and Kyle Payne prosecuted the case with the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations.
RELATED: Crypto Cash & Cocaine: DR-PR Drug Ring Busted
RELATED: Akron Drug Ring Busted: Kilos, Cash & Guns
Related Federal Cases
- Tran Syndicate Busted: Chemical Smuggling Ring Exposed · New Mexico
- Vegas Man Gets 21 Months in Illinois Cocaine Ring · Illinois
- Muskogee Felon Faces Decade in Prison for Firearm Smuggling · Oklahoma
- Major Methamphetamine Ring Nabs Eleven in ‘Battle of Honey Springs’ · Oklahoma
- Tahlequah Woman Admits Role in Oxycodone Ring · Arkansas
Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News