Jevoune Ward, a prison officer who was caught with a prohibited firearm during a stop and search exercise on April 30, was sentenced a few minutes ago to eight months in jail.

For being in possession of explosives he was given a fine of $5,000 or spend an additional five months in jail.

Ward, 24, of Baugher's Bay has been charged with unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm - a high-powered A.R 15 assault rifle - and unlawful possession of 28 rounds of 5.56 millimetre ammunition for the said rifle.

According to police, on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 11:30 a.m., officers of the Anti-Drug and Violent Task Force and Operation Crackdown of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force conducted a stop-and-search operation on a black Dodge motor car in the vicinity of Quomar on the Free Bottom road.

During the search, three occupants were ordered out of the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed the AR-15 assault rifle, loaded with 28 rounds of ammo.

Prior to his sentence, Ward who was an officer for the past four years, was on a $10,000 bail.

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