SOMERVILLE, N.J. (Somerset County) — A Somerset County jury has convicted Kenneth James, 34, of Franklin Township on multiple firearms and narcotics offenses stemming from a February 2021 investigation in Franklin Township, authorities announced Thursday.
Following a two-week trial, James was found guilty of second-degree certain persons not to have weapons, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) offense, and third-degree possession with intent to distribute a CDS, among other charges.
James, who absconded during the trial, was not present for the verdict. A warrant for his arrest was issued immediately after the jury delivered its decision. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 8. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years in New Jersey State Prison without parole on the certain persons charge alone and up to 10 years on the second-degree counts.
The charges stem from an incident on Feb. 9, 2021, when detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force were conducting a quality-of-life detail on Girard Avenue in Franklin Township. Detectives attempted to stop James, who fled on foot, eventually discarding a loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun on a basement windowsill behind a nearby residence.
James was apprehended in the backyard of the property. A search of his flight path resulted in the recovery of the firearm. A subsequent search of the vehicle he had been driving, conducted under a warrant, uncovered approximately half a pound of marijuana and packaging materials.
In addition to the major firearms and narcotics charges, James was convicted of third-degree resisting arrest by flight, third-degree hindering apprehension or prosecution, and fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine.
The trial was held before the Honorable Robert G. Wilson of the New Jersey Superior Court. Assistant Prosecutors Rory A. Eaton and Emily M. M. Pirro represented the State, assisted by Litigation Paralegal Maria Ducca. The case was investigated by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office in conjunction with the Franklin Township Police Department.
