Mugshot of Delvon Mathurin. Photo: USVIPD

On Friday night, an officer was outside the Legislature building when he and a security officer were approached by a man who began using profanity towards them and the government in general.

When the man entered the parking lot, the officer recognized him as Delvon Mathurin and asked him to leave the property, as unauthorized entry onto the Legislature property is prohibited. The man refused, and reached towards the right side of his waist for what the police officer believed was a machete. He continued walking towards the officer, now brandishing a black-handled machete, but complied with the officer’s demands that he put the weapon away.

Mathurin, as he got closer, reportedly recognized the officer as a former schoolmate and extended his hand in a friendly gesture. The officer declined, saying he did not feel safe, and Mathurin began walking away. Upon being informed that he was headed in the wrong direction, Mathurin reportedly reversed course and walked back towards the officer, again extending his hand in the hopes of his gesture being reciprocated.

The officer reportedly also extended his hand, which Mathurin held onto tightly. The officer was now close enough to smell the liquor on Mathurin’s breath, and had to eventually yank his hand away after Mathurin refused requests to release it, according to court documents.

Once again asked to vacate the premises, Mathurin reportedly drew the machete again, prompting the officer to draw his VIPD-issued firearm. That reportedly prompted Mathurin to back away slightly, giving the officer the opportunity to re-holster his weapon and tackle Mathurin to the ground.

After being handcuffed, Mathurin was searched for weapons and police reported felt a hard object in Mathurin’s right pocket. The object reportedly turned out to be a black unloaded handgun. A subsequent check with the firearms bureau revealed that he does not hold a license to possess or carry a firearm in the territory.

Mathurin, who declined medical attention for a laceration under his chin, was taken to the Ancilmo Marshall police station, where he reportedly made several attempts to spit on the officers who passed in front of his holding cell.

He was ultimately charged with carrying an unlicensed firearm, and trespassing.  He was remanded into custody to await his advice of rights hearing. Magistrate Yolan Brow-Ross did offer Mathurin pre-trial release when he appeared in court on Monday, however, the record of proceedings from his hearing, including details on bail conditions, have not yet been made publicly available as of press time.