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Rapper Juelz Santana Reportedly Flees Newark Airport After Loaded Gun Found In His Luggage
Dipset rapper Juelz Santana reportedly brought a loaded gun to Newark Airport.
Juelz Santana has been arrested for bringing a loaded gun to Newark Liberty International Airport.
The rapper (real name LaRon James) allegedly brought the weapon into the airport and fled once the weapon was found in his carry-on luggage, reports North Jersey.com.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents found loaded Derringer .38-caliber handgun during a security screening of the 36-year-old member of Dipset Friday night. James allegedly escaped and hopped into a taxi. Authorities were searching for him Sunday evening, reported North Jersey.com.
James turned himself in on Monday to authorities, reported People. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a weapon on an aircraft, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of drugs. The rapper was also booked on an “unspecified federal warrant," according to TMZ.
Neither James nor Port Authority police spoke to People when asked for comment. North Jersey.com reported him as still behind bars as of Monday.
James was charged with four counts of weapons and drugs offenses in February 2011 following an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Gang Unit, Billboard reported at the time. He was charged with possession of a weapon without a permit, and other charges, after authorities searched his recording studio. The publication noted that the rapper was believed to have affiliations with the Bloods gang.
He claimed that he was being targeted by authorities because of his high profile.
"I'm definitely a target out here just because of who I am," he told MTV News. "It's about money. They don't care about the criminals, they want that money. They said, 'We gon' get him, he can get high bail.' Whether the charges stick or not, they gon' get their money.'"
As a rapper, Juelz Santana rose to fame with the Harlem rap group The Diplomats (a.k.a. Dipset), which includes Cam'ron and Jim Jones. He released his solo debut, "From Me to U", in 2003. He has since appeared on reality television, seen as himself on "Love & Hip-Hop".
[Photos: Getty]
