FREDERIKSTED — The surviving son of a military veteran who was found shot to death in his own home last month has been arrested on an illegal weapons charge, authorities said.
Ian Benjamin Jr., 19, of Queen Street, Frederiksted, was arrested at 5:25 a.m. Friday and charged with carrying a firearm openly or concealed, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
“During the execution of a search warrant at his residence, officers discovered an unlicensed firearm,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said.
Benjamin admitted owning the firearm discovered at the residence and was placed under arrest by police, Derima said.
Bail for Benjamin was set at $50,000. Unable to make bail, he was remanded to the custody of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
Benjamin’s father, 38-year-old Ian Benjamin Sr., was shot to death at his Carlton home on March 2. His late father was a mechanic for the Virgin Islands National Guard (VING).
Ta’Jhanique Cumberbatch, 22, of Besty’s Jewel was arrested nine days after the senior Benjamin was killed and charged with first-degree murder in connection to his death.
All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
