ST. THOMAS, USVI – Le’Quan Registe, 25, of St. Thomas, is facing serious time after a Virgin Islands jury found him guilty of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The one-day trial concluded April 30, 2019, after testimony detailed a May 18, 2018 vehicle search that turned up a significant quantity of the drug.
According to court documents, Virgin Islands Police Department officers weren’t messing around when they searched Registe’s vehicle. They didn’t just find a little weed; they found it stashed all over the place – on the gear shift, under and on top of the passenger seat, and packed inside a backpack in the back. The bust wasn’t limited to marijuana, either.
A deeper search revealed a hidden compartment in the steering wheel stuffed with $3,400 in cash. Authorities also recovered a police scanner, baggies commonly used for drug packaging, and a digital scale – all the tools of a small-time dealer. A firearm was also found within the vehicle, though Registe was ultimately acquitted of the charge of possessing it specifically to aid in the drug operation.
The DEA, ATF, and VIPD all worked together on the investigation, building a case that clearly convinced the jury of Registe’s guilt. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith J. Edwards and George Andrew Massucco-LaTaif prosecuted the case, presenting the evidence gathered during the vehicle search and subsequent investigation.
Immediately following the guilty verdict, Registe was taken into custody by the United States Marshals Service. He’ll remain in their custody until sentencing, which is scheduled for August 29, 2019. The sentencing will determine the length of his stay in federal prison.
This case serves as a stark reminder that drug trafficking, even on a smaller scale, carries serious consequences. While Registe beat the firearms charge, the marijuana conviction alone is enough to send him away for a considerable amount of time. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing.
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Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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