Second-year Patriots cornerback Jack Jones was arrested Friday on weapons charges after two loaded firearms were found in his luggage at Boston Logan International Airport.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that Jones, 25, was booked at the State Police-Logan Airport barracks. He was later released on $50,000 bond and will be arraigned next week in East Boston District Court.
A fourth-round selection out of Arizona State in the 2022 NFL Draft, Jones played in 13 games as a rookie last year, starting two. He totaled 30 tackles, six passes defensed, two interceptions —one returned for a touchdown — a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Jones has had legal issues before: In 2018, he was arrested after breaking into a Panda Express in Santa Paula, Calif. He initially faced felony charges of commercial burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime, but the charges were reduced to misdemeanor commercial burglary after he pleaded guilty. He served 45 days of house arrest as part of his plea deal.
Here's everything you need to know about Jones' latest arrest, including the charges he faces:
Jack Jones arrest: What charges does he face?
According to NFL.com, Jones faces two counts each of possession of a concealed weapon in a secure area of an airport; possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card; unlawful possession of a firearm; carrying a loaded firearm; and possession of a large-capacity feeding device.
Update: #Patriots CB Jack Jones could be facing over 30 years in prison, per the DA’s office via the @BostonGlobe
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 19, 2023
“If he were convicted and sentenced consecutively on each charge he’d face more than 30 years in prison,”https://t.co/iwSN5FvFsl pic.twitter.com/xMqESum1yc
Below are the penalties each felony carries in the commonwealth of Massachusetts:
Possession of a concealed weapon in a secure area of an airport
According to Massachusetts law regarding weapons in airport secure areas, Jones faces a sentence of up to five to 10 years in state prison and up to $10,000 in fines if convicted on both counts:
Whoever occupies, or attempts to enter or occupy, a secure area of an airport or the cabin of an airplane, knowingly having in his possession or in his control and knowingly concealing, a cutting device or a prohibited weapon, notwithstanding any license to possess such a weapon or device, shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 21/2 years or by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card
Jones faces up to four years in prison and a $1,000 fine if convicted on both counts. Per the state penal code:
Whoever owns, possesses or transfers a firearm, rifle, shotgun or ammunition without complying with the provisions of section 129C of chapter 140 shall be punished by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than 2 years or by a fine of not more than $500.
Unlawful possession of a firearm
Under the same provision that forbids possession of ammunition without an FID card, Jones faces up to four years in prison and a $1,000 fine if convicted on both counts.
Carrying a loaded firearm
Jones faces up to five years in prison if convicted on both counts:
Whoever violates ... by means of a loaded firearm, loaded sawed off shotgun or loaded machine gun shall be further punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 2 1/2 years. ...
Possession of a large-capacity feeding device
If Jones is convicted on both counts, he could face a fine of $2,000 to $20,000 and a sentence of two to 20 years:
No person shall ... possess an assault weapon or a large capacity feeding device that was not otherwise lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994. Whoever ... violates the provisions of this section shall be punished, for a first offense, by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than ten years, or by both such fine and imprisonment. ...
Patriots' statement regarding Jack Jones arrest on weapons charges
The Patriots issued a statement to The Associated Press and other media outlets after Jones' arrest was reported.
"We have been notified that Jack Jones was arrested at Logan Airport earlier today," the team said. "We are in the process of gathering more information and will not be commenting further at this time."
Will Jack Jones be suspended by the NFL?
The league's personal conduct policy addresses weapons charges. Per the policy:
Players convicted of a crime or subject to a disposition of a criminal proceeding (as defined in this Policy) are subject to discipline. But even if the conduct does not result in a criminal conviction, players found to have engaged in any of the following conduct will be subject to discipline. Prohibited conduct includes but is not limited to ... Illegal possession of a gun or other weapon (such as explosives, toxic substances, and the like), or possession of a gun or other weapon in any workplace setting
Any suspension would be handed out following a league investigation.
This story will be updated.
