St. Thomas, USVI - On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at approximately 8:51 p.m., members of the Virgin Islands Police Department Operation Clean Sweep Taskforce were conducting Traffic Enforcement on Hospital Line Road in the area of the Department of Human Services in Hospital Ground. At the checkpoint, officers detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from a vehicle driven by Mr. Deslee Marius.

Deslee Marius

Mr. Marius was ordered to step out of his vehicle to which he refused. He then attempted to put the car in drive and forced his vehicle through the check point. Officers were able to stop the vehicle and remove Mr. Marius. Upon exiting the vehicle, Mr. Marius, went into a rage and struck several officers before he was subdued by being tased. Mr. Marius was found in possession of crack/cocaine, marijuana, and an unlicensed firearm.

Mr. Deslee A. Marius, age 29, was placed under arrest for various offenses and his bail was set at $150,000.00. His charges: Possession of an unlicensed firearm, Possession of Ammunition, Possession of a Firearm within a 1000 feet of a church/school, Possession of a Firearm with an obliterated serial number, Possession of a control substance with intent to distribute, Delaying and Obstructing, and Aggravated Assault and Battery of a Police Office. He was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his Advise of Rights Hearing.

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All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.