Convicted Murderer on Parole Arrested for Gun Possession in Minneapolis
A man on parole after being convicted of murder is now facing more charges after allegedly fleeing officers on foot and being found in possession of a gun and drugs last weekend.
On June 10, 2023, Minneapolis police executed a search warrant for a black Chevrolet Equinox near the intersection of E. Lake St. & Park Ave. According to court documents, when officers converged on the area, James Andre Banks, 37, fled on foot.
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During the pursuit, officers observed what appeared to be a handgun drop from Banks. A search of his person revealed a 9mm Glock handgun, a vial of suspected PCP, a baggie of suspected cocaine, a key FOB for the vehicle, a digital scale, several cell phones, and five individually packaged bindles of suspected cocaine. The substances were later weighed and field tested positive for cocaine.
A search of Banks’ vehicle uncovered 280.8 grams of methamphetamine, 110.4 grams of marijuana and a pill bottle containing pills that didn’t match the label. One pill field-tested positive for MDMA and methamphetamine. Officers also found a wallet with Banks’ ID and $930 in cash.
In a post-Miranda statement, Banks admitted to fleeing from police officers and using both crystal meth and crack cocaine. He denied selling drugs but stated that he uses them, the documents said. Banks said he was carrying a firearm for his protection but would not disclose where he obtained it.
Banks is on parole and is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a 2007 conviction for 2nd-degree murder and assault. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison for the murder but was released last May. In Minnesota, most inmates serve two-thirds of their sentence behind bars while serving the remaining third on parole.
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