Rapper Yung Joc, accused of taking a loaded gun to an airport, issued a statement Thursday saying he respects the law and is looking forward to resolving the charge against him.
Joc, whose real name is Jasiel Robinson, was arrested Sunday at a Cleveland Hopkins International Airport security checkpoint. Police said they found a semiautomatic handgun and ammunition in his carry-on bag.
Robinson, 27, told police he didn’t know the gun was there. He said in the statement that the incident is unfortunate.
“I have the utmost respect for the laws of this country and would never deliberately commit an act that would jeopardize my freedom, my family, or my career,” he said.
Robinson, who faces a felony charge of carrying a concealed weapon, didn’t enter a plea at a Wednesday hearing. He was released from jail on $50,000 bond, and is due in court for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 25. The charge carries a possible sentence of up to 18 months.
Yung Joc was one of the biggest hip-hop stars in 2006, selling a million copies of his debut album “New Joc City,” behind the Grammy-nominated song “It’s Goin’ Down.” His follow-up album “Hustlenomic$” was released in August.