Man Guilty Of Gun And Drug Charges, Flees Before Sentencing In Somerset County

FRANKLIN, NJ — A Somerset man is wanted by authorities after being found guilty on a slew of gun and drug charges and then fleeing before sentencing, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

Kenneth James, age 34, is wanted by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office for failure to appear after a Somerset County jury convicted him on May 22 of all charges in connection with a firearms and narcotics investigation conducted on Feb. 9, 2021, in Franklin Township.

James was convicted of second-degree certain persons not to have weapons, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree possession of a firearm during a CDS offense, and third-degree possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, among other offenses.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 8, at which time James faces a mandatory minimum term of five years New Jersey State Prison, five years to be served without parole, on the certain persons count alone.

James also faces 10 years in New Jersey State Prison on the second degree charges. James absconded during trial and a warrant was issued for his arrest after the guilty verdict.

The SCPO released the following information on James:

• Date of birth: 02/22/1991
• Height: 5'8
• Weight: 145
• Hair: Black
• Eyes: Brown
• Tattoos: Chest "Nevaeh Diana"
• Last known address: Somerset

James' conviction stems a firearms and narcotics investigation conducted on Feb. 9, 2021, in Franklin Township.

On Feb. 9, 2021, detectives of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force were conducting a quality-of-life detail when they tried to stop a person on Girard Avenue in Franklin Township.

James, after having received a signal to stop by police, fled on foot to the back of another’s home where he concealed a loaded nine-millimeter semiautomatic handgun on a basement windowsill, according to authorities.

James was arrested in the property’s backyard and a canvass of his path of flight resulted in the recovery of the firearm. A search of a vehicle driven by James yielded around half a pound of marijuana and packaging materials.

James was convicted by the jury of the aforementioned firearms and narcotics offenses, as well as third-degree resisting arrest by flight, third-degree hindering apprehension or prosecution, and fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of this individual should contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fugitive Unit. You SHOULD NOT take any police action yourself other than to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fugitive Unit at 908-231-7100 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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