CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Two St. Thomas brothers appeared in federal court for a detention hearing today after they were arrested on illegal drug and guns charges.
Thomas A. Olive, II, and his brother, Thorne A. Olive saw U.S. District Court Judge Curtis Gomez for a preliminary detention hearing after their arrest by the FBI for “intent to distribute marijuana and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking offenses,” U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said.
According to court records, on December 11, 2018, the Olives were observed by law enforcement driving in a grey Toyota Camry with excessively tinted windows, a violation of Virgin Islands traffic laws.
Subsequent to the traffic stop, VIPD officers recovered in excess of four pounds of marijuana; a Glock model 17, 9 mm firearm; a Glock model 23, .40 caliber firearm, with an extended magazine; several digital scales; boxes of plastic baggies; and approximately $6,225.00 in U.S. Currency.
A Thomas A. Olive Sr., Thomas A. Olive II and Thorne A. Olive’s relative, is the Virgin Islands Police Department’s former Crime Prevention officer.
Significantly, the VIPD is not mentioned by the U.S. Attorney’s Office as investigators on this case.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigrid Tejo-Sprotte.
Shappert said that an arrest warrant 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.