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UPDATE: Magistrate sends gun-toting Vanterpool to church
Vanterpool, 26, of Huntums Ghut, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and explosives and driving an unlicensed vehicle in relation to an incident on October 13, 2013.
He was handed a sentence of three years in prison which was suspended for three years of the gun possession charge. The firearm charge remains. Vanterpool was reprimanded and discharged on the traffic charges.
Vanterpool’s attorney, Stephen R. Daniels, in offering mitigation, told the court that his client is a clothing and costume jewellery vendor who continues to suffer the effects of a gunshot wound two years after a robbery attempt committed as he was plying his trade. It was noted that no arrest or prosecution was made in the matter and the defendant remains unaware of who pulled the trigger.
It was on this basis, and with some paranoia, that Daniels argued that Vanterpool acquired the firearm in efforts at protecting himself. He noted that there was no evidence that the weapon was used in the commission of any crime. He also stated that Vanterpool had been incarcerated since October when the incident occurred and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity before the magistrate. Vanterpool had no prior offences against him.
Magistrate John said the offence was a particularly serious one and noted that Vanterpool could have been sentenced to a draconian sentence which would have meant the full five year term allowable.
“You have been given the chance of your life so make something of it,” Magistrate John said.
The sum of $1000 along with a laptop discovered during his arrest in Lower Estate was ordered to be restored to Vanterpool.
See previous story posted on December 13, 2014:
Vanterpool pleads guilty in gun & ammo find
- Crown drops charges against Joseph
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Joel Vanterpool, 26, changed his plea to guilty on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and explosives and driving an unlicensed vehicle when he appeared before the Magistrate's Court today, December 13, 2013.
Vanterpool and Jefferson Joseph were jointly charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm (one Luger 9mm pistol) with an obliterated serial number and possession of explosives (9 rounds of 9mm ammunition); while Vanterpool was also charged with driving an unlicensed vehicle.
The Crown opted to offer no evidence against co-accused, Jefferson Joseph under the circumstances and asked that the charges against him be dismissed. Magistrate Dr Velon John dismissed the charges against Joseph and remanded both men to prison.
A hearing for mitigation and sentencing has been set for January 14, 2014.
According to the allegations, Constable Tyson was on duty on October 13, 2013 in a marked vehicle while at Lower Estate and saw PJ217, a white jeep, heading in the opposite direction with expired tags for May 2013.
Officer Tyson gave pursuit and asked the driver of the vehicle to pull over but the jeep sped off in an alleged attempt to evade police.
In the area of Rude Boyz garage, the jeep reportedly met with heavy traffic and pulled off on the right side of the road into the garage. The officer then blocked the vehicle with his jeep and approached the vehicle on the driver's side.
Officer Tyson reportedly encountered Vanterpool in the driver's seat and he allegedly pushed a large sum of money into the glove compartment while opening the driver's door.
Joseph was allegedly exiting the passenger side at the time.
Tyson reportedly spoke to the driver about his expired license sticker and it was reported that Vanterpool's driver's licence and insurance were up to date.
Detective Power was at the time passing in a vehicle and had a conversation with Tyson and the officer requested a search of the vehicle and did so in the presence of Vanterpool. The officer then allegedly pulled out a gun out of a black plastic bag under the driver's seat and shouted "Gun!"
Both defendants were then cautioned and shown the gun and asked who the owner was. Vanterpool allegedly replied: "Officer it is my gun." Joseph then allegedly said, "Boss, you got a gun? It aint mines."
The two were then asked whether they had a licence to keep or carry a firearm and Vanterpool allegedly replied in the negative. The gun was reportedly loaded at the time. The gun, ammunition and monies were kept in police custody while the men were arrested and taken to the Road Town Police Station.
An audio/video interview was reportedly done with both defendants and Vanterpool allegedly admitted to owning the firearm once more. Joseph allegedly denied and said he was only catching a ride with Vanterpool.
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24 Responses to “UPDATE: Magistrate sends gun-toting Vanterpool to church”
Mr. Magistrate
The roads need repair ..please award some of them an internship with the public works to do some real work and at the same time cut down the government spending.
That is a good man.
I guess church is punishment now.
SMDH
YOU wish the worst and the worst will fall on YOU, YOU create the BEAST