CHRISTIANSTED — Deshawn Gonsalves appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon for an Initial Appearance after his arrest by Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents
Gonsalves, 24, of St. Croix faces charges of possession of a firearm within a school zone, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said.
Further, upon motion of the federal government, Cannon scheduled a detention hearing for April 26, 2019.
According to court documents, on October 31, 2018, after responding to a domestic disturbance 911 call, officers with the Virgin Islands Police Department searched Gonsalves’ vehicle and located:
• A loaded Glock .45 caliber handgun;
• A Glock magazine holding 10 rounds;
• A Glock extended magazine capable of holding 30 rounds; • 135 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition;
• A ballistic vest;
• A black ski mask; and
• 170 grams of marijuana.
This occurred within 1,000 feet of the Eulalie Rivera Elementary School in Estate Grove Place.
The case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston.
Shappert said that an arrest warrant is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt.
“Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty,” she said.