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Rapper Juelz Santana accused of trying to board plane with loaded gun

Authorities said the rapper fled the scene when the gun was discovered by a TSA agent.

Juelz Santana turned himself into Port Authority Police early Monday after a gun was found in a carry-on bag containing his identification at a New York City area airport last week. He is due to appear in U.S. District Court in Newark later in the day. (A)
Juelz Santana turned himself into Port Authority Police early Monday after a gun was found in a carry-on bag containing his identification at a New York City area airport last week. He is due to appear in U.S. District Court in Newark later in the day. (A)Read moreJason DeCrow / AP

Rapper Juelz Santana was arrested Monday, accused of bringing a loaded gun to Newark Liberty International Airport on Friday and fleeing the scene, police said in a statement.

The 36-year-old rapper — real name: LaRon James — was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and carrying a weapon on an aircraft, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

James, a Totowa, N.J., resident, reportedly went to Newark airport Friday evening for a flight to San Francisco. Upon arrival, the rapper submitted his luggage for X-ray screening at the airport's security gate, where a Transportation Security Administration agent found a firearm. That agent the contacted Port Authority Police.

According to a complaint, the "There It Go" hitmaker fled the airport in a taxi after seeing his bag had attracted attention, leaving behind his luggage, driver's license, and boarding pass.

Following further inspection of the bag, police say they found a 0.38 caliber Derringer pistol loaded with two rounds. James has been prohibited from possessing a firearm since 2013, when he was convicted of manufacturing and distributing a controlled substance, officials said.

James surrendered to authorities Monday morning.

Each charge the rapper currently faces carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

As Juelz Santana, James is also a member of rap group The Diplomats, who are also known as Dipset. Currently, the group is scheduled to perform a reunion show at the Electric Factory on March 29. Dipset also is scheduled to perform at this year's Roots Picnic in June. Whether James' arrest will impact those performances has not yet been announced.