by Amanie Mathurin
ST. THOMAS — Bail has been set for a man charged with first-degree rape and first-degree unlawful sexual contact for an alleged incident that is said to have occurred on July 31.
The defendant identified as Carl Gumbs, age 30, was born in Anguilla but has lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands for 22 years. While police have not released details surrounding the alleged offences other than the victim being an adult female, Gumbs was detained on November 15 following a warrant for his arrest.
Prior to his advisement hearing, the defendant’s bail was set at $35,000 by a magistrate judge. During the virtual hearing on Wednesday, public defender Alexia Furlow asked that Gumbs be allowed release on the posting of 10 percent of the amount, arguing that he is not an overall danger to society or a flight risk. Furlow noted that while Gumbs was not born in the territory, he has spent the majority of his life here and several family members appeared virtually on his behalf, all of whom reside in St. Thomas.
