Loaded Gun Found in Vehicle Results in Arrest and Charges for St. Thomas Man

Michael Gore Jr. admits to purchasing the unlicensed firearm on the mainland and smuggling it into the territory, leading to his arrest and charges for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition

ST. THOMAS — A man found with a loaded gun in a vehicle was arrested and charged after reportedly admitting to police that he purchased the unlicensed weapon on the mainland and smuggled it into the territory.

According to court documents, on Monday evening, 911 Dispatch alerted officers to a man driving a Red Chrysler 200 who was carrying a firearm in the area of French Town. Officers tracked the vehicle down to the Subbase area and made a traffic stop.

‌The driver, Michael Gore Jr., was in the vehicle with the Chrysler’s owner in the passenger seat. At first, when police asked Gore about the strong marijuana odor emanating from the vehicle, he denied having drugs or weapons in the car. However, a “wingspan” search of the vehicle, according to arresting officers, yielded a Taurus G3 pistol loaded with several 9mm rounds, with one in the chamber.