John McCarthy
CHRISTIANSTED – “Have gun, will travel” was the title of an old TV western. But for one St. Croix man, he only got as far as Peter’s Rest – before he fell asleep.
Ramon Antonio Gantier Jr., 25, was arrested and charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and simple assault and battery-domestic violence, the Virgin Islands Police Department said..
The case began on March 27, 2025, when officers assigned to the Patrol Bureau were dispatched to Cool Out Bar in Estate Peter’s Rest in connection to a “trespassing incident,” according to the VIPD.
VIPD mug shot of Ramon Antonio “Sleepy Time” Gantier Jr. of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Responding officers were met “by an individual at the establishment who gave them a black satchel that contained a 9mm Smith & Wesson pistol in it,” police said.
The man informed the officers that the pistol and satchel were the property of Ramon Gantier Jr., who was found asleep under the pool table at the establishment, according to police.
“The officers detained Gantier who was highly intoxicated at the time and secured him in a Police Department vehicle.” VIPD spokeswoman Kishma Chichester said.
Gantier was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with the crimes listed above.
Bail for Gantier was set at $25,000.00.
It was unclear why Gantier was offered bail, since he faces a domestic violence charge.
Unable to post bail, the suspect was transferred to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility in Golden Grove.
Gantier is scheduled for an advice-of-rights hearing in Superior Court today.
