New England Patriots cornerback Jack Jones was arraigned in East Boston District Court on Tuesday morning after being arrested at Logan International Airport on Friday on gun-related charges.
Jones will return to court in August for a probable cause hearing, but after Tuesday's appearance, his lawyer called out the media and social media for apparently labeling the 25-year-old as a "thug" with "no evidence whatsoever."
Jack Jones’ lawyer says that social media and the media has turned her client into a thug “with no evidence whatsoever.” pic.twitter.com/dIkqznP8f6
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) June 20, 2023
She was asked why she's spending so much time and energy responding to ... tweets calling her client a thug.
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) June 20, 2023
"Why are you giving so much weight to [social media]?"
"I'm not giving any weight to it whatsoever."
Jones' arrest came after two firearms were found in his travel luggage, according to Massachusetts State Police.
According to a report from ESPN's Mike Reiss, state police said that Jones was charged with two counts of the following offenses: possession of a concealed weapon in a secure area of the 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.
Jones posted a bail of $30,000 on Friday night.
During an appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich on Tuesday, Jeff Howe of The Athletic said that the defensive back was in "a lot" of trouble, the team was "livid" with the situation and his career with the Patriots was likely over.
"I mean, if he's convicted, he's looking at a mandatory 18-month sentence and there's a likelihood of a two-year enhancement on that 18 months because the weapons were allegedly loaded," Howe added. "So just right off the bat there, it's a strong possibility -- if convicted, he's looking at a minimum of three and a half years."
A 2022 fourth-round draft pick, Jones had 30 combined tackles, six passes defended and two interceptions across 13 games (two starts), before his rookie year was cut short in late December due to a team suspension for an unspecified violation of club rules.
Per Reiss, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in March that the punishment was in the past and Jones was "lining up with the top unit at times in spring practices."
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