Marijuana, an AR-15 pistol and Ammunition Found in St. Thomas Car after Traffic Accident: Driver Surrenders Himself to Federal Authorities

 St. Thomas, USVI –United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced that Kahlid Blyden surrendered himself to federal authorities Monday morning for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of an unauthorized firearm and ammunition.

According to the affidavit filed in the case, Blyden was involved in an automobile accident on August 21, 2020. A responding officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car driven by Blyden. Officers searched the car and found a backpack with a large plastic bag inside containing marijuana, an AR-15 pistol and a box of ammunition. Blyden attempted to flee while being placed under arrest, but was detained after a brief chase. He posted bond in Territorial Court and the case was transferred to the United States Attorneys’ Office on October 9, 2020. A court date is set for November 4, 2020, for a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by United States Attorney’s Office of the Virgin Islands.

A complaint is merely a charging document, and it is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.