The 19-year-old Huntums Ghut resident, T'Quan Bodkin, however, claimed that the items, which were contained in a backpack on his back belonged to a relative in Virgin Gorda (VG).

He was not required to enter a plea; hence the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm was only read for his information as per the request of his lawyer Stephen Daniels.

Allegations

Court documents read in court states that the teen was seen by members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) on the Water Front Drive Jetty acting suspiciously carrying a backpack on his person on October 2.

The teenager was approached and searched when the aforementioned items were found in the backpack and later in his pockets.

Not mine

After the items – the ski mask, the gun, the clothing items – were discovered in the backpack, the defendant said the items were not his own.

According to the Crown, he claimed that he was sending the back-pack and items to his cousin in Virgin Gorda.

When he was searched for the second time, police uncovered $750 and the blue latex gloves in his pockets.

Despite his claims, he was arrested and taken to the Road Town Police Station where he was interviewed and later formally charged with the offence.

Bail Granted

The defendant was granted signed bail and told to report to the Road Town Police Station on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays between 6 am and 5 pm.

He was also mandated to submit all travel documents to the police.

His matter will continue on January 27 2021.

Remanded

In the meantime, Magistrate Christilyn Benjamin ordered that Kenaz Hazel, 24 of Purcell Estate be remanded into police custody at the Road Town Police Station until tomorrow.

He is scheduled to reappear before the court to answer to the offence of carrying an unlicensed firearm in Trellis Bay on October 3.
This is because his attorney was unable to make it for his first appearance today.