St. Thomas, USVI – Le’Quan Registe, 25, of St. Thomas, was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute marijuana after a jury trial in District Court, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced. The jury trial lasted one day, commencing on April 29, 2019, with jury deliberations commencing and concluding on April 30, 2019. Registe was acquitted of an additional charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of marijuana distribution.

According to trial testimony, on May 18, 2018, during a search of Registe’s vehicle, Virgin Islands Police Department officers located quantities of marijuana on the gear shift, on top of and underneath the front passenger seat, as well as in a backpack located on the backseat. Officers also located in the car $3,400 in a hidden compartment of the steering wheel, a police scanner, baggies, a digital scale, and a firearm.

After trial, Registe was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service. Sentencing is set for August 29, 2019.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Virgin Islands Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith J. Edwards and George Andrew Massucco-LaTaif.

St. Thomas, USVI – Le’Quan Registe, 24, of St. Thomas was arrested on an indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced. Registe made his initial appearance before Superior Court Judge Denise Francois today and was detained pending further proceedings.

According to the indictment, on May 18, 2018, Registe was found in possession of marijuana for distribution and he was also in possession of an unlicensed firearm.

If convicted of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, Registe faces a statutory term of imprisonment up to five years and a $250,000 fine. If convicted on the possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, Registe faces a consecutive seven-year term of imprisonment.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated this case and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.

United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.