ST. THOMAS MAN CHARGED WITH ILLEGALLY POSSESSING AN AR-15 FIREARM

ST. THOMAS – U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Desi Henry, Jr., 29, of St. Thomas, was detained by U.S. Magistrate Ruth Miller following his arrest on June 28, 2022, on felon in possession of a firearm charges.

According to court documents, Henry is currently on home confinement for a criminal matter pending trial in the Virgin Islands Superior Court. On May 16, 2022, Superior Court Marshals conducted a routine inspection of Henry’s home during which they discovered a lower receiver of an AR-15 firearm, a high-capacity drum magazine and two optical rifle sights in Henry’s bedroom. Henry is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm based on his 2015 firearm conviction on possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Henry told Superior Court Marshals that an unknown female brought the firearm to him because he is known to "be good with his hands." If convicted, Henry faces up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne. United States Attorney Delia L Smith reminds the public that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.