California Man Apprehended at Cyril E. King Airport Pleads Guilty to Possession of Marijuana with the intent to Distribute

St. Thomas, USVI – Kelley Hansen, 28, of California, pleaded guilty today in District Court before District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez, to possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.

According to court documents, after communicating with an individual about the sale of marijuana, Hansen agreed to travel to St. Thomas from California to complete the sale. Hansen arrived on St. Thomas onboard a commercial airline and was found in possession of approximately two kilograms of marijuana.

Hansen faces a sentence of not more than five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.00. His sentencing is scheduled for June 21, 2018.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.