Somerset County officials announced the arrest of Mr. Kenneth D. James, 29, Lenox Place, Somerset for possessing a loaded gun.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Tuesday, February 9th, at approximately 7:30 p.m. members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force Street Crimes Unit along with members of the Franklin Township Police Department were conducting a “Quality of Life” investigation in the area of Minetta Road in Somerset.
According to officials, as a result of the investigation, Task Force Detectives attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop in the area of Girard Avenue.
While attempting to conduct the motor vehicle stop, Somerset County Officials said the operator of the vehicle identified as James turned off his headlights, blacking out his vehicle on twoseparate occasions before exiting his vehicle and proceededto run away from his vehicle in an attempt to flee on foot from Task Force detectives. Kenneth D. James ultimately ran behind a residence on Girard Avenue where Task Force detectives were able to apprehend and detain him without further incident.
Upon further investigation, Kenneth D. James was found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm Ruger Security 9 semiautomatic handgun equipped with a high capacity magazine which he attempted to conceal near where he was apprehended.
Officials said Task Force detectives seized the loaded 9mm Ruger Security 9 semiautomatic handgun with the high capacity magazine which was found to contain thirteen rounds in the high capacity magazine with 1 round in the chamber.
Task Force detectives subsequently applied for and were granted a Somerset County Superior Court search warrant for the vehicle that defendant James was operating.
As a result of executing the Superior Court search warrant Task Force detectives located and seized approximately 10 ounces of marijuana, 2 ounces of hashish, and 9 ounces of marijuana THC edibles from the vehicle.
The estimated street value of the marijuana, hashish, and marijuana THC edibles seized is seventeen thousand dollars ($17,000.00) according to Somerset County officials.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that defendant James wascharged with 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, 2nd degree Certain Persons not to Possess a Weapon, 4thdegree Unlawful Possession of a High Capacity Magazine, 2nd degree Possession of a Firearm while committing a CDS offense, 3rd degree Possession with the Intent to Distribute CDS, 3rd degree Hindering Apprehension, and 4th degree Obstruction of Justice. Defendant James was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing.