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Rapper Juelz Santana Sentenced to Prison for Trying to Bring Loaded Handgun on Plane

What to Know

  • Rapper Juelz Santana was sentenced Wednesday to 27 months in prison for trying to bring a loaded gun onto a plane
  • The rapper, whose real name is Laron L. James, pleaded guilty to possessing firearm as previously convicted felon, carrying weapon on plane
  • In addition to his prison term, Santana was also sentenced to one year of supervised release

Rapper Juelz Santana was sentenced Wednesday to more than two years in prison for trying to bring a loaded gun onto a plane, prosecutors announced.

The rapper, whose real name is Laron L. James, pleaded guilty in March to knowingly possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon and carrying a weapon on an aircraft, according U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey.

Santana was arrested on March 9 after security staff at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport found a loaded .38-caliber handgun and nonprescription oxycodone pills in a carry-on bag containing his identification.

Santana left the area, leaving two bags behind, but turned himself in three days later.

Court documents say Santana admitted he knowingly possessed the handgun despite being prohibited from possessing firearms due to his December 2012 conviction in Bergen County Superior Court for manufacturing and distributing a controlled dangerous substance.

He also admitted he attempted to bring the loaded gun onto a flight from Newark to San Francisco, according to prosecutors.

The gun was discovered during the X-Ray screening of Santana’s luggage before he could board the flight.

In addition to his 27 month prison term, Santana was also sentenced to one year of supervised release.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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