Cordell O’Neal Allegedly Takes The Rap For Ammo In Vehicle

Cordell O’Neal, one of three men arrested last week near Sol Gas Station in Tortola, allegedly admitted ownership of the illegal ammunition officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) alleged they found in the vehicle he and the two others were travelling in on September 20.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) on September 25 during a virtual court session told the court that the older O’Neal, of Fresh Water Pond, Tortola, admitted to police officers on September 20 that: “Whatever you found in the bag belongs to me, that’s all I can tell you.” During an interview while in custody.

However, the 38-year-old pleaded not guilty today when the charge was put to him by Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards. He is charged along with his younger brother Kanmi O’Neal, 34, of Pockwood Pond, and Jelani Christopher, 31, of Cane Garden Bay both of whom also pleaded not guilty.

The trio was detained shortly after 8 p.m. on September 20 when police acting on intelligence, stopped and searched their vehicle a short distance from the Road Town Police Station.

A bag containing a loaded magazine with 31 rounds of high-velocity ammunition was found. The men were charged with possession of explosives and remanded to His Majesty’s Prison.

Today, they were granted $20,000 bail each with one signed surety each. They have to report to the Road Town Police Station three days per week and have no contact with witnesses. Their next court date is November 9.