Juelz Santana got into a heap of legal trouble last month, when the Diplomats rapper allegedly left behind luggage containing drugs and weapons at Newark Liberty International Airport. Though Juelz (whose real name is LaRon James) decided to plead not guilty on the two state weapons charges and a drug possession charge, the 36-year-old was booked and has been behind bars ever since.
Last week, Juelz’s legal team requested bail on the weapons and drug charges, but U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III swiftly denied that request. Meanwhile, fellow Dipset MC Jim Jones released a track called “Still Dipset” featuring Juelz, which was a pretty solid throwback to the crew’s NY reign in the early-2000s. Fortunately for Juelz, it looks like he just got out of jail today—with a few legally-binding caveats in his way. Nonetheless, both he and Cam'ron seem to be happy as hell with the situation.
According to North Jersey, Juelz has been ordered by Judge Michael A. Hammer to be released from custody, as the weapons and drug charges have been dismissed by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. However, he’s not completely in the clear, here, as the Feds are reportedly taking over the case, and there are some pretty substantial immediate provisions in the rapper’s way. Not only will the rapper be forced to wear an ankle monitor, and remain locked down in one residence for 24 hours a day, but that particular residence is Juelz’s mother’s home.
It’s great to see Juelz get out and get the chance to prove himself as someone who isn’t a flight risk, a danger to society, or a troubled rapper who should’ve stayed in jail. At least for us, he'll always have diplomatic immunity.
