Patriots defensive back Jack Jones cut a deal with prosecutors over an incident in June in which he was accused of bringing two firearms in his carry-on luggage through security at Logan International Airport in Boston.
Prosecutors agreed to drop the charges in exchange for Jones agreeing to one year of probation and 48 hours of community service, MassLive reported Tuesday.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said it did not have confidence it could prove the charges.
“The Commonwealth states that consistent with its standard of review in all cases, it has thoroughly reviewed all the evidence in this case and determined that it cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Jones had knowledge that he possessed the firearms in his bag at the time of the incident,” the DA said in a court filing, per MassLive.
The DA also said Jones purchased the firearms legally in Arizona and was taking steps for lawful gun ownership in Massachusetts in the requisite 60-day window.
A spokesperson for the DA’s office had previously said Jones could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted of all his charges, albeit acknowledging that it would be rare for sentences not to be served concurrently.
In August, Jones was asked about the incident.
“I can’t answer that question. That’s a question for my lawyer,” Jones told reporters at Patriots practice.
“When I get out here on this football field, it’s all ball, man. I just come out here to play ball, give it my all and do what I’m supposed to for the team.”
Jones was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and had two interceptions last season — including one returned for a touchdown against then-Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers — and 30 total tackles.