Case: United States v. Government of the Virgin Islands

3:25-cv-00050 | District Court of the Virgin Islands

Filed Date: Dec. 16, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

[This summary is temporary while we research this case.]

On December 16, 2025, the United States filed suit against the Government of the Virgin Islands in U.S. District Court for the District Court of the Virgin Islands. In their complaint, the U.S. alleges that the Defendants have continued to obstruct and systematically deny law-abiding American citizens the fundamental right to keep and bear arms by systematically delaying the processing of applications and imposing unconstitutional conditions on the exercise of this constitutional right.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Madeline Dollard (6/17/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72041462/parties/united-states-v-government-of-the-virgin-islands/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Arrington, Barry K. (Virgin Islands)

Hanrahan, William Hanrahan (Virgin Islands)

Tyson-Floyd, Angela (Virgin Islands)

Attorney for Defendant

Smith-Francois, Ariel Marie (Virgin Islands)

Timmons, Christopher M. (Virgin Islands)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

3:25-cv-00050

Complaint

United States of America v. The Government of the Virgin Islands et al.

Dec. 16, 2025

Dec. 16, 2025

Complaint
46

3:25-cv-00050

Motion for Preliminary Injunction

United States of America v. The Government of the Virgin Islands et al.

June 10, 2026

June 10, 2026

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72041462/united-states-v-government-of-the-virgin-islands/

Last updated June 20, 2026, 3:41 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Tyson-Floyd, Angela) (Entered: 12/16/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Dec. 16, 2025

Dec. 16, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE of Filing Summonses by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Attachments: # 1 Summons for Honorable Governor Albert Bryan Jr., # 2 Summons for Honorable Gordon Rhea-Attorney General of the VI, # 3 Summons for VIPD Commissioner Mario Brooks) (Tyson-Floyd, Angela) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

Jan. 7, 2026

Jan. 7, 2026

3

Summons Issued as to Hon. Albert Bryan, Jr. (TSJ) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

4

Summons Issued as to Gordon C. Rhea, Esq. (TSJ) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

5

Summons Issued as to Mario Brooks. (TSJ) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

6

CLERK'S NOTICE to Parties of Consent and Reference of A Civil Action to Magistrate Judge issued via upload with a copy of Notice attached to each summons. Re: 3, 4, 5 (TSJ) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

7

SUMMONS Returned Executed by United States of America. Government of the Virgin Islands served on 1/13/2026, answer due 2/3/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Process Server Re Service on Hon Albert Bryan Jr) (Tyson-Floyd, Angela) (Entered: 01/28/2026)

Jan. 28, 2026

Jan. 28, 2026

8

SUMMONS Returned Executed by United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Process Server Re Service on Hon. Gordon C. Rhea Esq) (Tyson-Floyd, Angela) (Entered: 01/28/2026)

Jan. 28, 2026

Jan. 28, 2026

9

SUMMONS Returned Executed by United States of America. Mario Brooks served on 1/14/2026, answer due 2/4/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Process Server Re Service on Hon. Mario M. Brooks) (Tyson-Floyd, Angela) (Entered: 01/28/2026)

Jan. 28, 2026

Jan. 28, 2026

10

NOTICE of Filing Summonses for V.I. Police Department by United States of America (Attachments: # 1 VIPD Summons c/o Gov. Albert Bryant, # 2 VIPD Summons c/o Gordon Rhea VIAG, # 3 VIPD Summons c/o VIPD Legal Counsel Sherri Lewis) (Tyson-Floyd, Angela) (Entered: 02/03/2026)

Feb. 3, 2026

Feb. 3, 2026

11

NOTICE of Appearance by Christopher M. Timmons on behalf of Defendants Mario Brooks, Government of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Police Department (Timmons, Christopher) (Entered: 02/06/2026)

Feb. 6, 2026

Feb. 6, 2026

12

Defendants' ANSWER to 1 Complaint by Mario Brooks, Government of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Police Department. (Timmons, Christopher) (Entered: 02/06/2026)

Feb. 6, 2026

Feb. 6, 2026

RECAP
13

MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Defendants Mario Brooks, Government of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Police Department. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order) (Timmons, Christopher) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

Feb. 19, 2026

Feb. 19, 2026

14

ORDER (GAT), SCHEDULING CONFERENCE set for 04/17/2026 at 02:00 PM in Chambers before US Magistrate Judge G. Alan Teague. (Teague, G.) (Entered: 03/02/2026)

March 2, 2026

March 2, 2026

15

ORDER (GAT), granting motion 13 for leave to withdraw as counsel. Specifically, it is ORDERED that Atty. Christopher M. Timmons is RELIEVED as counsel for Defendants. It is further ORDERED that Defendants SHALL SUBSTITUTE COUNSEL by no later than 04/02/2026. (This is a TEXT ENTRY ONLY. There is no.pdf document associated with this entry.) (Teague, G.) (Entered: 03/02/2026)

March 2, 2026

March 2, 2026

Order AND ~Util - Terminate Motions

March 2, 2026

March 2, 2026

16

Summons Issued as to Virgin Islands Police Department c/o Sherri E. Lewis, Esq. (JC) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

March 10, 2026

March 10, 2026

17

Summons Issued as to The Honorable Albert Bryan, Jr. Governor of the Virgin Islands. (JC) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

March 10, 2026

March 10, 2026

18

Summons Issued as to The Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands Department of Justice for the VI Police Department. (JC) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

March 10, 2026

March 10, 2026

19

CLERK'S NOTICE to Parties of Consent and Reference of A Civil Action to Magistrate Judge issued via upload. (JC) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

March 10, 2026

March 10, 2026

RECAP
20

MOTION Motion to Extend Deadlines in Court's March 2, 2026< Order Setting Rule 16 Conference by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Tyson-Floyd, Angela) (Entered: 03/24/2026)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

March 24, 2026

March 24, 2026

RECAP
21

ORDER (GAT) granting Plaintiff's unopposed motion 20 for extension of time. SCHEDULING CONFERENCE set for 05/08/2026 at 10:00 AM in Chambers before US Magistrate Judge G. Alan Teague. (Teague, G.) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

March 25, 2026

March 25, 2026

RECAP

1 - Terminate Hearings AND ~Util - Set Hearings

March 25, 2026

March 25, 2026

SCHEDULING CONFERENCE set for 05/08/2026 at 10:00 AM in Chambers before US Magistrate Judge G. Alan Teague. (This is a TEXT ENTRY ONLY. There is no.pdf document associated with this entry.) (Teague, G.)

March 25, 2026

March 25, 2026

22

NOTICE of Appearance by Ariel Marie Smith-Francois on behalf of Defendants Mario Brooks, Government of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Police Department (Smith-Francois, Ariel) (Entered: 04/01/2026)

April 1, 2026

April 1, 2026

23

MOTION for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery Rule 16 Discovery Deadlines by Defendants Mario Brooks, Government of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Police Department. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order) (Smith-Francois, Ariel) (Entered: 04/01/2026)

1 Text of Proposed Order

View on PACER

April 1, 2026

April 1, 2026

RECAP
24

ORDER (GAT) denying Defendants' Motion 23 for extension of time. (This is a TEXT ENTRY ONLY. There is no.pdf document associated with this entry.) (GP) (Entered: 04/01/2026)

April 1, 2026

April 1, 2026

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery

April 1, 2026

April 1, 2026

25

SUMMONS Returned Executed by United States of America. Government of the Virgin Islands served on 3/18/2026, answer due 4/8/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Process Server re Hon. Albert Bryan, Jr.) (Tyson-Floyd, Angela) (Entered: 04/02/2026)

April 2, 2026

April 2, 2026

26

SUMMONS Returned Executed by United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Process Server re Service on Hon. Gordon C. Rhea, Esq) (Tyson-Floyd, Angela) (Entered: 04/02/2026)

April 2, 2026

April 2, 2026

27

SUMMONS Returned Executed by United States of America. Virgin Islands Police Department served on 3/18/2026, answer due 4/8/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Process Server re Service on VIPD, Sherri E. Lewis, Esq.) (Tyson-Floyd, Angela) (Entered: 04/02/2026)

April 2, 2026

April 2, 2026

NOTICE OF CORRECTED DOCKET ENTRY Filer is reminded when filing Summons Returned Executed, the proof of service should be the first page and the summons the second page. No action is required at this time. Re: 26 Summons Returned Executed, 27 Summons Returned Executed. (JC)

April 6, 2026

April 6, 2026

28

MEDIATION REFERRAL ORDER (RAM) The Court hereby appoints U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller to serve as mediator at no additional cost to the parties. The parties SHALL adhere to the deadlines set forth in this Order. (IW) (Entered: 04/07/2026)

April 7, 2026

April 7, 2026

RECAP
29

NOTICE of Appearance by William Hanrahan, I on behalf of Plaintiff United States of America (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 04/09/2026)

April 9, 2026

April 9, 2026

30

ORDER Scheduling Mediation Conference (RM) dated 4/21/2026 set for 6/16/2026 09:30 AM in STT Courtroom 3 before US Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller.) (Attachments: # 1 Attachment 1) (Entered: 04/21/2026)

1 Attachment 1

View on PACER

April 21, 2026

April 21, 2026

31

ORDER (GAT), SCHEDULING CONFERENCE currently set for 05/08/2026 is RESCHEDULED for 05/15/2026 at 02:00 PM in Chambers before US Magistrate Judge G. Alan Teague. (This is a TEXT ENTRY ONLY. There is no.pdf document associated with this entry.) (GMP) (Entered: 04/27/2026)

April 27, 2026

April 27, 2026

1 - Terminate Hearings AND Order

April 27, 2026

April 27, 2026

32

MOTION Remote Appearance for Scheduling Conference by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

April 30, 2026

April 30, 2026

33

ORDER (GAT), granting Plaintiff's motion 32 to allow its off-island counsel to appear remotely for the upcoming scheduling conference. Specifically, it is ORDERED that Plaintiff's counsel based in Washington, D.C. are permitted to attend via Teams video conferencing the scheduling conference set for 05/15/2026 at 2:00 PM in Chambers before US Magistrate Judge G. Alan Teague. Video conferencing information to be provided by the Court. It is further ORDERED that local counsel for Plaintiff shall appear IN PERSON for said conference. (This is a TEXT ENTRY ONLY. There is no.pdf document associated with this entry.) (GMP) (Entered: 05/06/2026)

May 6, 2026

May 6, 2026

34

DISCOVERY MEMORANDUM-Rule 16 by Plaintiff United States of America. (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 05/06/2026)

May 6, 2026

May 6, 2026

35

REPORT of Rule 26(f) Planning Meeting. (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 05/06/2026)

May 6, 2026

May 6, 2026

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief

May 6, 2026

May 6, 2026

36

NOTICE of service of GVI Initial Disclosures by Mario Brooks, Government of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Police Department (Smith-Francois, Ariel) (Entered: 05/09/2026)

May 9, 2026

May 9, 2026

37

DISCOVERY MEMORANDUM-Rule 16 by Defendants Mario Brooks, Government of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Police Department. (Smith-Francois, Ariel) (Entered: 05/09/2026)

May 9, 2026

May 9, 2026

38

NOTICE Notice of Service of United States' Initial Disclosures by United States of America (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 05/11/2026)

May 11, 2026

May 11, 2026

39

Minute Entry for proceedings held before US Magistrate Judge G. Alan Teague: Scheduling Conference held on 5/15/2026. (Court Reporter FTR Gold Recorder.) (TRH) (Entered: 05/15/2026)

May 15, 2026

May 15, 2026

40

TRIAL MANAGEMENT ORDER (GAT): BENCH TRIAL set for 11/01/2027 at 09:00 AM in STT Courtroom 1 before Chief Judge Robert A. Molloy. STATUS CONFERENCE set for 08/20/2026 at 11:00 AM via Teams video conferencing before US Magistrate Judge G. Alan Teague. Video conferencing information to be provided by the Court. (GMP) (Entered: 05/15/2026)

May 15, 2026

May 15, 2026

44

ORDER (RAM) REASSIGNING CASE dated 5/28/2026. Case reassigned to US District Judge Evan Rikhye for all further proceedings. Chief Judge Robert A. Molloy no longer assigned to case. (EMK) (Entered: 06/04/2026)

May 28, 2026

May 28, 2026

41

NOTICE of Interrogatories by William Hanrahan, I (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 06/03/2026)

June 3, 2026

June 3, 2026

42

NOTICE of Appearance by Barry K. Arrington on behalf of Plaintiff United States of America (Arrington, Barry) (Entered: 06/03/2026)

June 3, 2026

June 3, 2026

43

NOTICE Notice of United States' First Supplemental Initial Disclosures by United States of America (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 06/03/2026)

June 3, 2026

June 3, 2026

45

NOTICE Notice of Second Supplemental Initial Disclosures by United States of America (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 06/09/2026)

June 9, 2026

June 9, 2026

46

First MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit A (redacted), # 3 Exhibit Exhibit B (redacted), # 4 Exhibit Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit Exhibit E (redacted), # 7 Exhibit Exhibit F) (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 06/10/2026)

1 Text of Proposed Order

View on PACER

2 Exhibit Exhibit A (redacted)

View on RECAP

3 Exhibit Exhibit B (redacted)

View on RECAP

4 Exhibit Exhibit C

View on RECAP

5 Exhibit Exhibit D

View on RECAP

6 Exhibit Exhibit E (redacted)

View on RECAP

7 Exhibit Exhibit F

View on RECAP

June 10, 2026

June 10, 2026

Clearinghouse
47

REPORT of Mediation by Honorable Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller. The matter has been recessed. Further mediation may take place at a date to be determined. (TRH) (Entered: 06/18/2026)

June 18, 2026

June 18, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Virgin Islands

Case Type(s):

Criminal Justice (Other)

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 16, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Second Amendment (Right to Bear Arms)

Unreasonable search and seizure

Other Dockets:

District Court of the Virgin Islands 3:25-cv-00050

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

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