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CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A convicted murderer who served more than a decade in prison for killing two men in 2002 is facing new federal gun charges, according to federal authorities.
The man, Gregory Williams, 34, was at one point serving a sentence of life in prison.
But after appealing his conviction to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and serving 11 years behind bars, Williams has been free on parole since January 2016.
Williams, of St. Thomas, made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller Tuesday after being charged as a felon in possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, Acting U.S. Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett said.
At the preliminary and detention hearing, Magistrate Judge Miller found probable cause for the charges and detained Williams pending trial, according to Hewlett.
According to the criminal complaint, Williams had an altercation with his girlfriend resulting in his arrest on local charges of domestic violence.
While on release, Williams intimidated and threatened the victim who reported the harassment to the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD).
The criminal complaint further states that when VIPD located Williams in the area of General Gade, Williams fled to avoid capture and in the process tossed a firearm.
When VIPD recovered the firearm, the serial number had been removed.
Williams is a convicted felon and is not authorized to possess a firearm.
Possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number is a violation of federal law.
Under federal law if convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Williams faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Virgin Islands Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard Potter.
Hewlett said that a criminal complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not in and of itself evidence of guilt.
“Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty,” she said.