Laron L. James, Possessing a Firearm as a Felon, New Jersey 2018

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Gun-Toting Felon Caught at Newark Airport

March 9, 2018

A brazen attempt to bring a loaded gun onto a flight at Newark Liberty International Airport has landed a Totowa man behind bars. Laron L. James, 36, aka Juelz Santana, pleaded guilty to knowingly possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon and trying to bring a loaded gun onto a plane.

According to court documents, James was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his December 2012 conviction in Bergen County Superior Court for manufacturing and distributing a controlled dangerous substance. But that didn’t stop him from attempting to bring a loaded Derringer .38 caliber handgun onto a flight from Newark to San Francisco on March 9, 2018.

James’s plan was foiled when the gun was discovered during the X-Ray screening of his luggage before he could board the flight. The loaded gun was a stark reminder of the dangers of gun violence and the importance of airport security measures.

The charges against James carry a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for December 12, 2018. U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito praised the investigative work of the FBI and the Port Authority Police Department in bringing James to justice.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace Latzer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crimes Unit in Newark. Defense counsel Brian J. Neary Esq., of Hackensack, New Jersey, will argue on behalf of James at sentencing.

This case highlights the importance of airport security and the consequences of attempting to bring a gun onto a flight. It also serves as a reminder that those with a history of gun violence can face severe penalties for their actions.