Jamil Hunter
An Atlantic City man who failed to show up to his sentencing on a gun charge is back in jail after police responded to a fight last week.
Jamil Hunter, now 35, was a fugitive for more than a year after he pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon by a certain person in October 2022.
That charge stemmed from an incident in which Hunter was disarmed during a struggle with two police officers trying to arrest him on a drug charge.
Detectives Anthony Abrams and Jaimee Moore followed Hunter into the Walgreens after Abrams saw him discard what turned out to be cocaine, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
When he was told he was being arrested, Hunter struggled with the officers. It was then that Moore saw the butt of a handgun protruding from Hunter’s waistband, and was able to remove it, police said at the time.
Eight months later, Hunter pleaded guilty under an agreement that would have sentenced him to five years without parole, according to the paperwork obtained by BreakingAC.
Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury released Hunter pending a December sentencing date, against the state's objections. He failed to appear.
Last week, detectives responded to the 600 block of New York Avenue in reference to a fight, Capt. Kevin Fair said.
Sgt. Darrin Lorady saw Hunter run from the area, according to the report. He refused orders to stop
Hunter ran in the back door of an apartment and then fled out the front, Fair said. The occupants of the residence did not know him or invite him inside. That led to a burglary charge.
He was taken into custody, and the warrant was discovered. He also had a small amount of cocaine, Fair said.
Hunter is now in the Atlantic County Justice Facility being held on the fugitive warrant. His new sentencing date is set for June.
He also faces new charges in addition to the burglary charge, including drug possession, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest and hindering apprehension.
That case is pending a grand jury.
Hunter previously served time on drug and weapons convictions.
