St. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

St. Thomas, USVI – On Wednesday, October 28, 2015, Michael A. Lewis, 36, pleaded guilty in District Court on St. Thomas to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Sentencing is scheduled for March 3, 2016.

According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on June 23, 2015, Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) Officers attempted to conduct a field interview with Lewis who took off running from the officers. As Lewis was running from VIPD officers, a butt of a firearm was seen protruding from his front right pants’ pocket. Lewis was later apprehended in a residence where he discarded three firearms. VIPD officers recovered the firearms. Lewis is a convicted felon and not authorized to possess a firearm. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case is the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the VIPD. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.