Patriots cornerback Jack Jones could be arraigned in East Boston Municipal Court docket this week after being arrested for allegedly attempting to ship two firearms onto a flight at Logan Worldwide Airport closing Friday.
His arraignment is susceptible to begin Tuesday. Then, might Jones go to jail?
In that case, for a method prolonged?
Will he ever play for the Patriots as soon as extra?
To clarify the licensed challenges and journey ahead, the Herald consulted with numerous Massachusetts attorneys and laws consultants. Jones’ agent didn’t return an e mail in search of comment.
In keeping with Massachusetts State Police, Jones, 25, has been charged with two counts of each of the following: possession of a hid weapon in a protected area of an airport, possession of ammunition with no firearm identification card, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm and possession of a large-capacity feeding gadget.
What everyone knows
In keeping with State Police, the firearms had been discovered Friday in a passenger’s carry-on baggage at a security checkpoint in Terminal B at roughly 5:30 p.m. A state trooper was known 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 Safety Administration launched a press launch detailing the invention of the firearms. The TSA didn’t level out Jones by title, nevertheless described a “male passenger ticketed for journey to Los Angeles Worldwide Airport.” The firearms had been loaded and detected all through an X-ray screening, authorities talked about.
Yesterday afternoon @BostonLogan (BOS) @TSA officers detected two loaded firearms and ammunition in passenger’s carry-on baggage. This occurred spherical 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 bills, Jones might face larger than 30 years in jail. Nonetheless, as a result of minimal proof on the market — and it’s not however acknowledged whether or not or not the state will pursue all bills as presently listed — Jones’ virtually definitely differ of penalties is unclear. (Of observe: most jail and jail sentences are served concurrently fairly than consecutively.)
What are his attainable penalties?
Two of the prices Jones faces — unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a large-capacity feeding gadget — carry compulsory minimal sentences. Massachusetts laws states anyone convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm ought to serve on 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 big-capacity feeding gadget value would moreover require indicting Jones and as a result of this reality shifting his case to Suffolk County Superior Court docket. The compulsory 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. That is the one value Jones faces that may’t be tried on the district stage and must be tried in Superior Court docket.
The penalties for his completely different bills are as follows: possession of a hid weapon in a protected area 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 unlawful possession of a firearm.
If Jones is convicted and imprisoned for unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a loaded firearm, he ought to serve these sentences consecutively, not concurrently, per Massachusetts state laws. One domino falling into one different.
What’s subsequent?
Jones could be arraigned in East Boston District Court docket this week. His pre-trial date could be set inside the following few weeks or months. The police report from his arrest, containing particulars of the firearms’ discovery and Jones’ questioning, ought to alter into public.
The chief question then turns into: the place will Jones’ case be adjudicated?
If the Suffolk County District Legal professional’s office opts to indict any or all the bills, the case will switch to Suffolk Superior Court docket. There, the chances Jones receives a serious sentence will improve dramatically, notably if he’s indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm and/or possession of a large-capacity feeding gadget.
If the District Legal professional’s office drops the two counts of possessing a large-capacity feeding gadget, Jones’ case might keep in district courtroom docket. There, his harshest potential penalties could be off the desk. The DA’s office may also resolve to “break down” or reduce the prices, along with these with compulsory minimal sentences. Theoretically, the DA might eradicate the compulsory minimal jail time for the unlawful possession bills, allowing Jones to serve 18 months in jail with the prospect of an early launch and parole in its place of serving the entire 18 months.
It’s moreover worth noting Logan Worldwide Airport falls inside federal jurisdiction, though federal intervention on this case is believed to be unlikely.
Will Jones go to jail?
It’s far too early to tell.
However primarily based on consultants, the odds are in direction of Jones, primarily based totally on the on the market information.
The bills carrying compulsory minimal sentences are a serious obstacle. The prospect of indictment is one different. Jones’ prior file is one different topic.
Within the spring of 2018, Jones was arrested for his involvement throughout the burglary of a Panda Specific restaurant in California. He confronted felony bills of enterprise burglary and felony conspiracy to commit a legal offense. These bills had been later decreased to a misdemeanor rely of enterprise burglary as part of a plea settlement involving 45-day dwelling arrest.
Will he play for the Patriots as soon as extra?
Historical past signifies the NFL will bide its time when deciding on a punishment, which should lastly be numerous video video games. The league doesn’t tether itself to the felony justice system’s outcomes or necessities of proof. Because the case performs out, Jones may also uncover himself on the Commissioner’s Exempt Listing.
As for the Patriots, proprietor Robert Kraft can choose to cut ties with Jones at any time with minimal financial penalty. Requested about Jones’ arrest Friday evening time, a crew spokesperson talked about: “We’ve been notified that Jack Jones was arrested at Logan Airport earlier at the moment. We’re within the means of gathering extra info and won’t be commenting additional at the moment.”
What else is important?
A number of licensed consultants urged the high-profile nature of this case will hurt Jones.
The District Legal professional’s office is conscious of it’s going to shortly be part of Jones throughout the spotlight all through these proceedings and be scrutinized with every step. It’s widespread in circumstances like these for gives to be reached between the prosecution and safety. However Jones has a file. He’s allegedly devoted 5 felonies in a extraordinarily public place, along with one that may drag him into Superior Court docket.
So far as this case goes, the prosecution is already throughout the crimson zone. And Jones is leaning once more on his heels.
