ST. THOMAS, USVI – A 28-year-old man from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, is facing federal time after admitting he illegally possessed a loaded handgun in St. Thomas. Ashan Westcott pleaded guilty before District Judge Curtis Gomez to the charge of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, a serious offense in these parts.
The case unraveled on March 2, 2019, when Virgin Islands Police Department (“VIPD”) officers responded to a wreck on Turpentine Run Road. Westcott was at the scene, injured after a motorcycle and vehicle collided. While assisting emergency medical technicians, officers began searching for Westcott’s identification. That’s when things went south.
A VIPD officer rummaged through a backpack Westcott was carrying and discovered a loaded Glock Model 23, .40 caliber handgun. It wasn’t a simple traffic stop anymore. Westcott, a citizen of Tortola with a UK-issued passport, had no legal standing in the United States, and certainly no authorization to carry a firearm.
Prosecutors revealed Westcott had not applied for any kind of status within the U.S. when he was found at the crash site. He was here illegally, and carrying a piece. That combination carries a hefty penalty. The investigation quickly expanded, bringing in the Federal Bureau of Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to solidify the case.
United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert’s office isn’t letting this slide. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith J. Edwards is prosecuting the case, and is prepared to argue for a substantial sentence. Westcott’s fate will be decided on October 10, 2019, when Judge Gomez hands down the punishment. Expect a harsh sentence; the feds don’t play when it comes to illegal firearms.
This case serves as a stark reminder that the U.S. Virgin Islands, despite its beauty, is not a free pass for those looking to skirt the law. The VIPD, FBI, and CBP are working together to keep illegal weapons off the streets and ensure that those who violate federal immigration laws are held accountable. The Grimy Times will be there when the sentence is announced.
Related Federal Cases
- Belizean Man Convicted of Illegal Re-Entry After Deportation · Illinois
- Aubrey Frett, 30, Arrested on St. Thomas for Gun, Drug Charges · U.S. Virgin Islands
- Jamaican National Charged with Illegal Reentry in USVI · U.S. Virgin Islands
- Dominican National Wilson Sentenced for Passport Fraud · Rhode Island
- Three USVI Women Sentenced in L.A.-to-St. Thomas Weed Cash Scheme · U.S. Virgin Islands
Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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