St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands — On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the members of the Special Operations Bureau Tactical and K9 Team were on patrol in the Grove and Mutual Homes Community when they observed that a gray Acura vehicle did not come to a complete stop at a posted stop sign. A traffic stop was immediately conducted. As Officers approached the vehicle, they instructed the driver to roll down all the windows to the vehicle due to the windows being heavily tinted. The Officers immediately smelled a strong odor of what appeared to be marijuana coming from inside of the vehicle. Officers then observed in plain view several burned marijuana cigarettes along with drug paraphernalia. Both the driver and passenger were ordered out of the vehicle and the driver was advised that a search would be conducted of his vehicle. A search was conducted and as a result, Officers recovered PT 145 PRO .45 caliber handgun with a loaded magazine inserted in the handgun and one live chambered round. A large amount of marijuana was also recovered from inside of the vehicle. The driver, Shakeem Gilbert, claimed possession of the unlicensed firearm, however, he does not have a license to possess or carry a firearm.
Mr. Shakeem Gilbert, 22, was subsequently placed under arrest for Carrying of a Firearm Openly or Concealed and Possession or Sale of Ammunition. His bail was set at $50,000.00.
