ST. THOMAS, USVI – The illegal flow of firepower into the U.S. Virgin Islands hit a snag this week as two men were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a gunrunning operation. Mohammed Jubran, 27, of St. Thomas, and Raji Yusuf, 30, of Puerto Rico, both learned their fates in District Court, facing consequences for trafficking in firearms, Acting United States Attorney Hewlett announced.
Jubran received a 21-month sentence, while Yusuf was handed a stiffer 27-month term. Both men will also serve three years of supervised release after their prison stints. Judge Curtis V. Gomez didn’t stop there, tacking on a $100 special assessment fee and a requirement for each defendant to complete 350 hours of community service – a small price to pay for peddling weapons.
The case dates back to a period between October 15, 2015, and February 10, 2016. Court records show Yusuf supplied an AK-47 to Jubran, who then flipped the weapon to an individual within St. Thomas. This wasn’t a legal transaction. Neither Jubran nor Yusuf held a federal firearms license, nor were they authorized under Virgin Islands law to possess the firearms they were dealing with.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, uncovered the illicit scheme. Federal agents pieced together evidence that ultimately led to guilty pleas from both men on November 8 and 18, 2016. The plea agreements laid bare the details of the transaction, confirming the illegal transfer of the AK-47.
Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid Tejo-Sprotte spearheaded the prosecution, building a case that highlighted the dangers of unregulated firearms in the territory. The sentences send a clear message: those who profit from illegal gun sales will face serious repercussions. This case underscores the continued need for vigilance in combating weapons trafficking in the Caribbean.
The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and report on efforts to curb the flow of illegal firearms into vulnerable communities. The USVI, like many island nations, faces unique challenges in controlling gun violence, and federal law enforcement plays a critical role in disrupting these criminal networks. This isn’t just about two men behind bars; it’s about keeping guns out of the hands of those who would do harm.
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Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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