Juelz Santana, Harlem rapper and Dipset member, has pleaded not guilty to weapons charges stemming from an incident earlier this month, where he allegedly brought a fully-loaded .38-caliber Derringer handgun to Newark Airport in New Jersey.
The incident, which took place on May 2nd, had Santana allegedly carrying the weapon as well as unprescribed oxycodone pills, in his carry-on luggage that also contained his identification. He apparently fled the scene after being caught, leaving his two bags behind in the airport. He eventually turned himself in to police.
According to Bossip, Sanatana was formally arraigned today on one charge of firearm possession by a convicted felon, and one charge of trying to bring a weapon onto an aircraft. Each charge carries a maximum of ten years in prison.
Santana remained quiet during the hearing, except to confirm his plea to the presiding judge. His family also joined him for the hearing.
Santana has remained under house arrest since his arrest, meaning he has been unable to perform at shows. He recently made an attempt to get his travel restrictions lifted so that he could do shows and make money for him and his family, but he's apparently given up on that altogether.
Sanatana's lawyer, Brian Nearly, says they're hoping for the best in this case.
"He’s doing fine, he’s abiding by all the regulations of pretrial and he’s hopeful and praying for the best result," says Nearly.
Things are beginning to look serious for Santana, hopefully he manages to fight the charges and will continue to perform and make music.