An inmate in the U.S. Virgin Islands has been charged with threatening a witness in a murder case.
In a Wednesday statement, the territory's U.S. attorney said that a federal jury returned a seven-count indictment against Kamoui Francis of St. Thomas.
The indictment alleges that a testifying witness received messages from Francis warning that if any defendants on trial in a murder case were convicted the witness and their loved ones would be killed.
Authorities say they allegedly found the phone from which the threats were made during a search of the 24-year-old's cell at a lockup.
If convicted of threatening a witness, Francis faces a maximum of 10 years. He is also charged with possessing contraband and transmission of threats.
His first court appearance is scheduled for late May.
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