Rapper Sentenced For Trying To Bring Loaded Gun On Newark Flight

A Passaic County man and rapper was sentenced Wednesday to 27 months in prison for trying to bring a loaded gun onto a plane at Newark Liberty International Airport earlier this year, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Laron L. James, aka "Julez Santana," 36, of Totowa pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley Chesler to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and carrying a weapon on an aircraft. Chesler handed down the sentence in Newark federal court. (See related: Rapper Arrested, Tried To Bring Gun On Plane In Newark: Officials)

James admitted to authorities that on March 9 he had a loaded Derringer. 38-caliber handgun even though he was prohibited from possessing a firearm, Carpenito previously said. He also admitted trying to bring the gun onto a flight from Newark International Airport to San Francisco. (See related: Rapper Admits Trying To Bring Loaded Gun Onto Newark Flight)

Authorities found the gun during an x-ray screening of James' luggage before he boarded the flight. James left Newark Airport in a taxi after the gun was discovered. He later surrendered himself to law enforcement authorities, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey previously said.

James cannot have a firearm due to a 2012 conviction in Bergen County for manufacturing and distributing a controlled dangerous substance.

Additional reporting by Eric Kiefer, staff writer

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Recording artist "Juelz Santana" visits BET's '106 & Park' at BET Studios on April 16, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)