Palestina Estate resident, Omari Roberts, aged 27, was granted bail in the amount of $100,000.00 with one signed surety when he appeared virtually before Magistrate Jack Husbands at the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, October 10.

This followed an operation conducted by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) on Friday, October 6, where two assault rifles and a significant quantity of assorted ammunition were seized.

Roberts was subsequently charged with Keeping a Prohibited Firearm without a License and three counts of Unlawful Possession of Explosives. Initially, Senior Crown Counsel Khadija Beddeau objected to bail. However, after Magistrate Husbands expressed his intention to consider bail, Beddeau suggested a bail amount of $1 million. Eventually, bail was set at $100,000.00 based on the recommendation of Roberts’ lawyer, Stephen R. Daniels.

Beddeau objected to bail on the grounds that Roberts had two prior convictions, including a fine of $500.00 for Possession of Explosives on May 25, 2022. She also mentioned that Roberts had a history of committing offenses while on bail, citing a pending matter for Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. Additionally, Beddeau expressed concerns that Roberts may interfere with the ongoing investigations.

In response, Daniels argued that his client, who is involved in the trucking business and has three minor children, was unlawfully arrested and charged. He stated that during the search of Roberts’ apartment on October 6, 2023, no incriminating evidence was found. Daniels also claimed that Roberts was made to wait while the police obtained a warrant to search another apartment, which did not belong to his client. It was in this other apartment that the firearms and ammunition were allegedly discovered, yet only Roberts was charged.

Beddeau further proposed a surety of $1 million if bail were to be considered. However, Magistrate Husbands questioned the seriousness of this amount, to which Beddeau responded that she was following instructions but acknowledged the court’s position.

In addition to the bail amount, Roberts was required to surrender his passport, refrain from applying for any new travel documents, and report to the Road Town Police Station three times a week.