Traffic Stop Leads to Discovery of Unlicensed Firearm and Ammunition

 

A St. Thomas man was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm during a traffic stop Friday evening, police say.

Aaron Christopher, 44, driving a blue and orange Acura RSX was pulled over by the VIPD during an “Operation Gridlock” traffic stop on Turpentine Road on St. Thomas. Police observed that Christopher’s vehicle did not have a license plate attached to the front bumper. After he was pulled over, the police could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, at which point Christopher and the passenger were asked to exit the vehicle, according to the VIPD report.

While patting Christopher down, police discovered a loaded black and silver firearm and several rounds of ammunition, the report stated. Christopher said he did not possess a license to carry a firearm in the US Virgin Islands, police said.

Christopher was arrested and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of stolen property, possession of ammunition, and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, according to the report. Christopher was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advice of rights hearing after failing to post $50,000 in bail, it said.