ST. CROIX — A man has been arrested on firearm and ammunition charges after police received a report on Tuesday night that an individual had a firearm in their possession in the vicinity of the John F. Kennedy housing community.

Steadroy James, age 32 was arrested after law enforcement traveled to the area to make a check. Upon entering the housing community, police observed a man later identified as James walking across the parking lot with a baby in his arms. According to the probable cause fact sheet, he fit the description which was provided to police.

Police say James walked into an apartment and then walked out a few seconds later. When officers approached him he ran off towards the rear of the building. While the officers commanded him to stop running, James continued running while holding onto the waistband of his pants and looking back at the officers. The fact sheet states that he eventually fell after tripping on his slipper. Police then instructed him to place his hands behind his back and he complied. James was handcuffed and searched and police recovered a firearm in the waistband of his pants. Eighteen 9mm rounds of ammunition were also recovered from the firearm, one in the chamber and the remainder in the magazine. 

After cross-checking the Virgin Islands Firearm Registry, it was determined that James did not have a license to possess a firearm. He later told police that he was in possession of the firearm for his protection because people are trying to kill him. James was charged with carrying a firearm openly or concealed as well as possession or sale of ammunition. Bail was set at $50,000 at the time of his arrest.

During his advisement hearing on Wednesday, the judge ruled that James would have to post a fully secured bail to be released. Upon posting the full bail figure, he must provide the court with a suitable third-party custodian who will have to be vetted and approved. The judge noted that James is currently on probation for a prior felony matter and also has a previous misdemeanor conviction.

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