Juelz Santana may have been made into a hilarious meme since he ditched the airport this past weekend, but the consequences of his actions are certainly no laughing matter.
On Friday, the rapper fled Newark International Airport after he was caught trying to smuggle a gun through airport security and onto his flight, according to police sources. Santana, whose real name is LaRon Louis James, was on the run from authorities until Sunday when he turned himself in to the Port Authority Police detectives.
Monday afternoon, Santana, 36, was told that he will remain in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing, according to NJ.com.
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The criminal complaint, filed by an FBI task force officer, says that Santana had been waiting to board a flight to San Francisco when the Newark Airport TSA discovered that he had a 38-caliber derringer pistol in his personal, carry-on bag.
When the Love and Hip Hop star was asked for a more thorough screening of his belongings, the New York born Santana reportedly ran from the area, leaving behind his luggage and identification. Sources say he may have gotten into a cab while fleeing the scene.
Gathering information
Santana’s defense attorney Brian Neary wrote in a statement that they are “gathering his information as quickly as possible to ask the judge to release Mr. James as we wait to review and defend the charges.”
According to NJ.com, the U.S. Attorney’s office will be seeking a pre-trial detention for the Diplomats artist. In 2011, Santana was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of loaded handguns at his Bergenfield, New Jersey music studio. In 2013, Santana was convicted of drug distribution and now, he may also be charged with possession of a firearm yet again.
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Santana is best known for his feature on rapper Cam’ron’s hit “Hey Ma” as well as his top ten single “There It Go (The Whistle Song).”