Fireman on gun charges granted $50K bail

A 25-year-old fireman was granted $50,000 signed bail on Tuesday, December 24, after appearing before the Magistrate’s Court on firearm-related charges.

Carlon O’Neal, of Butu Mountain, was charged with unlawful possession of explosives and carrying a firearm without a license.

According to allegations, O’Neal was found with a Glock handgun and 15 rounds of ammunition in the Duff’s Bottom area of Tortola on Saturday, December 21.

During his appearance before Magistrate Hakim Creque on Christmas Eve, O’Neal’s attorney, E. Leroy Jones, successfully secured bail with no objections from the prosecution. Jones argued that his client, a Virgin Islands native employed as a fire officer at the local airport, is not a flight risk and is determined to clear his name.

Magistrate Creque granted bail under specific conditions, requiring O’Neal to surrender all travel documents and refrain from applying for new ones. He must also report to the Road Town Police Station three times weekly.

Although the prosecution initially requested a curfew, the Magistrate declined due to O’Neal’s work schedule.

O’Neal is scheduled to return to court on February 4, 2025, to enter a plea.

Details of his arrest were not disclosed during the court proceedings.

This arrest comes amidst growing concerns about gun violence in the territory. Detective Chief Inspector Davis of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) recently highlighted these concerns following the November 8 shooting of K’zhari Stoutt in Long Bush.

The RVIPF subsequently issued a wanted notice for Shemoi Carey, 22, of Huntum’s Ghut, and K’Shawn Martin, 18, of Sand Box Road, identified as suspects connected to the shooting. Both are reportedly members of a gang known as the “Money Boys.”

Authorities continue to urge residents to report any suspicious activities or provide information that could help curb gun violence in the community.