Patriots cornerback Jack Jones can be arraigned in East Boston Municipal Court this week after being arrested for allegedly trying to deliver two firearms onto a flight at Logan International Airport final Friday.
His arraignment is prone to start Tuesday. Then, may Jones go to jail?
If so, for a way lengthy?
Will he ever play for the Patriots once more?
To make clear the authorized challenges and journey forward, the Herald consulted with a number of Massachusetts attorneys and legislation consultants. Jones’ agent didn’t return an e mail looking for remark.
According to Massachusetts State Police, Jones, 25, has been charged with two counts of every of the next: possession of a hid weapon in a safe space of an airport, possession of ammunition with no firearm identification card, illegal possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm and possession of a large-capacity feeding gadget.
What we all know
According to State Police, the firearms had been found Friday in a passenger’s carry-on baggage at a safety checkpoint in Terminal B at roughly 5:30 p.m. A state trooper was referred to as to the scene, the place Jones was promptly questioned and arrested. Jones was booked on the State Police-Logan Airport barracks, and his bail was set at $50,000.
Following the arrest, the Transportation Security Administration launched a press release detailing the invention of the firearms. The TSA didn’t point out Jones by title, however described a “male passenger ticketed for travel to Los Angeles International Airport.” The firearms had been loaded and detected throughout an X-ray screening, authorities mentioned.
Yesterday afternoon @BostonLogan (BOS) @TSA officers detected two loaded firearms and ammunition in passenger’s carry-on baggage. This occurred round 5:20 p.m. #travelfail pic.twitter.com/0FLeLT0H4v
— TSA_NewEngland (@TSA_NewEngland) June 17, 2023
If he’s convicted and sentenced consecutively on all expenses, Jones may face greater than 30 years in jail. However, due to the minimal proof out there — and it’s not but recognized whether or not the state will pursue all expenses as presently listed — Jones’ almost certainly vary of penalties is unclear. (Of observe: most jail and jail sentences are served concurrently reasonably than consecutively.)
What are his attainable penalties?
Two of the costs Jones faces — illegal possession of a firearm and possession of a large-capacity feeding gadget — carry obligatory minimal sentences. Massachusetts legislation states anybody convicted of illegal possession of a firearm should serve at the very least 1 1/2 years in jail or 2 1/2 years in a state jail. A state jail sentence would first require an indictment.
The large-capacity feeding gadget cost would additionally require indicting Jones and due to this fact shifting his case to Suffolk County Superior Court. The obligatory minimal sentence for possession of a large-capacity feeding gadget is 2 1/2 years in a state jail with a most penalty of 10 years. This is the one cost Jones faces that can’t be tried on the district stage and have to be tried in Superior Court.
The penalties for his different expenses are as follows: possession of a hid weapon in a safe space of an airport (most 2 1/2 years in jail or 5 years in state jail and/or most $5,000 advantageous); possession of ammunition with no firearm identification card (most 2 1/2 years in jail or most $500 advantageous); and carrying a loaded firearm (most 2 1/2 years in jail, if first convicted of illegal possession of a firearm.
If Jones is convicted and imprisoned for illegal possession of a firearm and carrying a loaded firearm, he should serve these sentences consecutively, not concurrently, per Massachusetts state legislation. One domino falling into one other.
What’s subsequent?
Jones can be arraigned in East Boston District Court this week. His pre-trial date can be set inside the subsequent few weeks or months. The police report from his arrest, containing particulars of the firearms’ discovery and Jones’ questioning, ought to change into public.
The chief query then turns into: the place will Jones’ case be adjudicated?
If the Suffolk County District Attorney’s workplace opts to indict any or the entire expenses, the case will transfer to Suffolk Superior Court. There, the possibilities Jones receives a major sentence will enhance dramatically, particularly if he’s indicted for illegal possession of a firearm and/or possession of a large-capacity feeding gadget.
If the District Attorney’s workplace drops the 2 counts of possessing a large-capacity feeding gadget, Jones’ case may stay in district court docket. There, his harshest potential penalties can be off the desk. The DA’s workplace may additionally decide to “break down” or scale back the costs, together with these with obligatory minimal sentences. Theoretically, the DA may eradicate the obligatory minimal jail time for the illegal possession expenses, permitting Jones to serve 18 months in jail with the prospect of an early launch and parole as an alternative of serving the complete 18 months.
It’s additionally price noting Logan International Airport falls inside federal jurisdiction, although federal intervention on this case is believed to be unlikely.
Will Jones go to jail?
It’s far too early to inform.
But based on consultants, the percentages are towards Jones, based mostly on the out there data.
The expenses carrying obligatory minimal sentences are a major impediment. The chance of indictment is one other. Jones’ prior file is one other subject.
In the spring of 2018, Jones was arrested for his involvement within the housebreaking of a Panda Express restaurant in California. He confronted felony expenses of business housebreaking and felony conspiracy to commit a criminal offense. Those expenses had been later decreased to a misdemeanor rely of business housebreaking as a part of a plea settlement involving 45-day home arrest.
Will he play for the Patriots once more?
History signifies the NFL will bide its time when deciding on a punishment, which ought to finally be a number of video games. The league doesn’t tether itself to the felony justice system’s outcomes or requirements of proof. As the case performs out, Jones may additionally discover himself on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.
As for the Patriots, proprietor Robert Kraft can select to chop ties with Jones at any time with minimal monetary penalty. Asked about Jones’ arrest Friday night time, a crew spokesperson mentioned: “We have been notified that Jack Jones was arrested at Logan Airport earlier today. We are in the process of gathering more information and will not be commenting further at this time.”
What else is vital?
Multiple authorized consultants urged the high-profile nature of this case will harm Jones.
The District Attorney’s workplace is aware of it’s going to quickly be a part of Jones within the highlight throughout these proceedings and be scrutinized with each step. It’s widespread in circumstances like these for offers to be reached between the prosecution and protection. But Jones has a file. He’s allegedly dedicated 5 felonies in a extremely public place, together with one that might drag him into Superior Court.
As far as this case goes, the prosecution is already within the crimson zone. And Jones is leaning again on his heels.
Source: www.bostonherald.com