Man Who Allegedly Disregarded Police Orders and Took Off Running to Dispose Firearm Facing 18 Years

ST. CROIX — A St. Croix man could face a cumulative maximum sentence of 18 years in prison after he was found with an unauthorized firearm which he attempted to dispose of during a police encounter.

Lawrence Hodge is charged with carrying an unlicensed firearm which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, as well as unauthorized possession of ammunition which could land him 7 years behind bars. Hodge also faces an additional charge of interfering with an officer discharging his duty, an offense which is punishable by a maximum incarceration of 1 year.

The probable cause fact sheet states that on September 25th, officers were on foot patrol on King Cross Street, Christiansted when they observed an unknown male rolling a green leafy substance that appeared to be marijuana. According to police, they verbally commanded the individual, later identified as Hodge, to stand up and face the wall so they could pat him down. While he initially stood and acted as if he would face the wall, police say the man instead took off running. Officers who subsequently gave chase reported seeing him holding on to the right side of his waistband and later removing a solid object which he tossed towards a stone wall and fence area. Officers continued their chase until the man eventually complied with orders to show his hands and get down on his knees. He reportedly told police, “I only run because you was going to lock me up for a joint!”

An officer then handcuffed Hodge and informed him about the marijuana laws of the Virgin Islands. According to the fact sheet, the officer explained that “he cannot be arrested for a marijuana cigarette because it is decriminalized. However, it is still illegal.”