St. Croix, USVI - On August 17, 2023, at approximately 11:17 p.m., on East End Road in the vicinity of Green Cay, officers were conducting their second day of the Driving Under the Influence (D.U.I) Initiative check point.
A traffic stop was made on a green Jeep Cherokee and contact was made with the driver of the vehicle, who was identified as 36-year-old, Mr. Mizell A. Taylor and a passenger. While on the traffic stop, officers smelled a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Mr. Taylor was asked to step out of the vehicle and was patted down as a safety precaution, when a gun was found on his person. When asked if he has a license to carry a firearm in the territory of the U.S Virgin Islands, Mr. Taylor responded “No”. A search of the vehicle was conducted and a large sandwich bag containing green leafy substances which tested positive for marijuana and $20.00 USD was found.
Mizell A. Taylor
Mr. Mizell A. Taylor was placed under arrest for Carrying of a Firearm Open or Concealed, Possession or Sale of Ammunition, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute (Marijuana), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Operating Vehicle without Valid License. He was transported to the Ancilmo D. Marshall Command Police Station, where he was advised of his Miranda Warnings and his bail was set at $50,000.00 as per chart. Unable to post bail he was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command for booking and then to the John A. Bell Correctional Facility pending his Advised of Rights Hearing.
Due to numerous auto collisions involving DUIs and various traffic violations, the Virgin Islands Police Department and Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety have initiated the D.U.I. Initiative to identify, detect and arrest intoxicated drivers and cite traffic violators. This initiative also gives officers the opportunity to educate motorists on how to prevent traffic offenses.
VIPD and the Office of Highway Safety will continue its efforts to increase safe driving habits in the territory.
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All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.