Jan. 13, 2006 – A St. Thomas man was arrested after he was found with four guns, a Taser gun and a duffle bag filled with numerous rounds of ammunition, a bulletproof vest, handcuffs, and military fatigues belonging to a Virgin Islands police officer.
The man, Robert K. Pinney, 35, also had more than five grams of a white powder that tested positive for crack cocaine. He was arrested Dec. 8, 2005, U.S. Attorney Anthony Jenkins said in a news release issued Friday.
On Thursday, a federal grand jury returned a 17-count indictment charging Pinney with possession of several firearms, making a false statement and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, Assistant U.S. Attorney James Carroll said on Friday.
Pinney had a Cobray Mack-11 9mm pistol, an SKS-7.62 high-caliber assault rifle, a Smith and Wesson 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a Beretta 9mm semi-automatic pistol, and an X26c Taser gun in his house when U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area agents arrested him.
Carroll would provide few details pertaining to the case, but said that Pinney was being questioned about the whereabouts of a known fugitive when he made several false statements.
"He denied having contact, but he did have contact," Carroll said.
Carroll said that subsequently, Pinney was arrested and law enforcement officials searched his house to find the guns, drugs and other items.
Pinney remains in jail without bail pending trail.
"Guns and drugs – that's a double reason for being detained," Carroll said.
He said he did not know Pinney's occupation, but said the St. Thomas native lived in the Bovoni public housing community.

Back Talk

Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.