Patriots DB Jack Jones arrested at Logan Airport with 2 loaded guns
BOSTON - New England Patriots defensive back Jack Jones was arrested at Logan Airport Friday night after two loaded guns were found in his carry-on luggage.
Jones, 25, of Arizona, faces several charges including carrying a loaded firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a large-capacity feeding device.
"The most serious being possession of a large-capacity feeding device," said defense attorney and legal expert Ben Urbelis. "That carries, specifically, two and a half year mandatory state prison sentence if you're convicted. The charges he's facing are very serious, especially here in Massachusetts, firearm offenses in general are taken very seriously. His defense attorney is going to have an uphill battle."
The Transportation Security Administration said Jones was ticketed to travel to Los Angeles. The guns were found during the routine X-ray screening of carry-on luggage at the airport's security checkpoint, according to the TSA.
Jones was booked at the State Police-Logan Airport Barracks. Bail was set at $50,000. He will be arraigned next week in East Boston District Court.
"Perhaps he suggests that somebody put these guns in his bag without his knowledge. How did the police come upon the fact that he had firearms in his bag? Was this an illegal search, an illegal seizure?" said Urbelis.
"Some people might think that because he's a Patriots player the district attorney's office might give him leniency, he's a high profile celebrity, he has the money to hire the best defense lawyers," said Urbelis. "I don't think that's going to come into play as far as how the district attorney's office charges these and prosecutes these offenses."
"Going to an airport in a public setting with these loaded high-capacity firearms and magazines in your bag and checking them might hurt him, it makes him look pretty arrogant. They're going to go full force against him as far as the prosecution goes."
In a statement, the Patriots said, "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."
Patriots minicamp was held earlier this week at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Players will return the last week in July.
