Rapper DMX is back in an Arizona jail today after he was extradited from Miami to Phoenix Friday to face a number of charges.
A bench warrant was issued for his arrest earlier this month after he missed a scheduled appearance in Maricopa County court to answer charges of animal cruelty, drug possession, and ID theft.
The artist, born Earl Simmons, was apprehended on Dec. 9 at the home South Florida home of producer Scott Storch. His arrest came after the FBI was tipped off on his whereabouts from a Georgia woman.
Due to his flight risk and previous no-shows, a judge has now ordered DMX’s bond raised to $120,000 in cash, reports Allhiphop.com.
According to the deputy that escorted DMX back to Phoenix, the rapper took time to explain how much disdain he has for Sheriff Arpaio’s tactics against him.
DMX was back in a Miami jail Tuesday afternoon after federal authorities arrested him on a bench warrant at the Palm Island home of producer Scott Storch.
The rapper, born Earl Simmons, was picked up for missing a Dec. 5 court date in Phoenix. A woman in Georgia tipped off the Maricopa County Sheriff’s office to his whereabouts after hearing there was a $5,000 reward for any info leading to his capture, reported TMZ.com.
X was being held at the Miami-Dade County jail and is due to return to Phoenix, where bond is set at $120,000. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of drug possession, identity theft and animal cruelty in Arizona.
Attorney Charles Kozelka says the 37-year-old entertainer was unable to attend the Phoenix court date because he’s been in and out of rehab in Florida for several weeks.
The cycle of court no-shows continues for rapper DMX. Another bench warrant has been issued for the artist after he failed to show up for a hearing Friday morning, reports the Associated Press.
DMX’s attorney, Charles Kolzelka, said his client wasn’t present because he is currently at an undisclosed rehab facility. Judge Michael Kemp has now raised DMX’s bond to $120,000 cash.
The 37-year-old, born Earl Simmons, is charged with drug possession, identity theft and animal cruelty stemming from three felony arrests. DMX was extradited to Phoenix from Miami in September after pleading guilty to drug charges there.
Friday’s skipped date marks the second time he has blown off an appearance in Maricopa County Superior Court.
Producer also performed with T.I.
The multi-platinum solo artist and beatmaker not only scored tonight’s show, but also performed with T.I. on “Swing Your Rag,” a Beatz-produced track.
“When BET asked me to score the show I was honored because the Hip Hop Awards this year was the best ever so I jumped to the opportunity,” Swizz said. “I wanted to be sure that the music I added would make people react and vibe with the show.”
The BET Hip Hop Awards ceremony airs tonight at 8 p.m. eastern time.
DMX made it to a courtroom in Phoenix on Monday after a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
The rapper, born Earl Simmons, was initially due in court last week to face four counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of marijuana possession. But he failed to appear because, according to his lawyer, he was being treated at a Florida hospital for symptoms associated with a stroke.
The artist’s attorney, Charles Kozelka, said he was not at liberty to discuss DMX’s medical condition. According to Phoenix’s CBS affiliate KPHO news, Kozelka asked that the possession case be part of a scheduled Oct. 7 status conference, which also involves a case of animal cruelty charges and theft charges.
The judge reminded the rap artist to appear at all of his upcoming court hearings.
TMZ.com reported that rapper DMX was admitted to a hospital in Florida Tuesday for “fear of a stroke.”
The hip-hop star, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was reportedly taken to the emergency room at a hospital in Aventura, Florida.
He was due to remain in doctors’ care through his scheduled court appearance on Tuesday in Arizona – where he was set to face theft charges.
According to TMZ, his attorney has drafted a letter to the judge on the case, detailing the rapper’s condition.
The rapper also faces several animal cruelty and drug possession counts in the state.
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DMX went from one jail to another last week in his never-ending round robin of legal troubles.
The rapper was extradited from Miami to Phoenix on Wednesday where he’s facing 11 counts of animal cruelty and drug possession in connection with two raids on his Phoenix-area home, Maricopa County Sheriff’s officials said Thursday.
The rapper pleaded guilty two weeks ago in Miami to attempted marijuana and cocaine possession stemming from his June 27 arrest during a police drug sting. He was sentenced to time served and fined $483.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s officials had 15 business days to reclaim him, or else DMX would have been allowed to leave Florida on his own recognizance, according to the rapper’s attorney.
He was brought in Wednesday by Maricopa County Sheriff’s officials on an outstanding warrant for missing a court date and is currently being held on a $25,000 cash bond.
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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are furious with DMX for his animal cruelty charges in Arizona and are hoping to ensure that the county prosecutes him to the full extent of the law.
The rapper, born Earl Simmons, is accused of neglecting 12 pit bulls housed on his Cave Creek property north of Phoenix. Authorities also found three dead dogs, buried on his property back in 2007.
In its letter to Maricopa County Attorney Andrew P. Thomas, PETA writes:
As Simmons’ alleged conduct might well demonstrate, repeat crimes are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers, so we implore your office to take every measure necessary to ensure that Simmons, if convicted, is barred from owning or harboring animals for as long as possible. We also ask that, if convicted, Simmons serve a meaningful period of incarceration and be required to undergo a thorough psychological evaluation followed by mandatory counseling at his own expense. The safety of the community might depend on it. Thank you in advance for your diligence in this matter and for your time and consideration.
MTV is denying that Britney Spears will perform at its upcoming Video Music Awards, but TMZ.com claims producers have a replacement surprise in store. Sources claim the network has been working overtime to get Michael Jackson to make a return appearance. Word has it that the King of Pop has agreed to present an award with his sister Janet.
*NBC captured the biggest television audience for Monday’s opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Denver. According to Nielsen Media Research, more than 22 million total viewers tuned in Monday night across all networks. NBC drew the most viewers, pulling an average of 4.71 million for its hourlong special anchored by Brian Williams, up 4% from 2004. CNN came in second place, averaging 4.27 million viewers from 10 to 11 p.m., an hour that included a speech by Michelle Obama. It was followed by ABC (4.17 million), CBS (3.46 million), Fox News (2.92 million) and MSNBC (2.10 million).
*Mos Def is being investigated for larceny after snatching a camera from a photographer at the Las Vegas Hilton during the star-studded MAGIC fashion convention. TMZ.com is reporting that the rapper yanked the camera from the photographer’s neck and caused a small cut on the shooter’s hand. Mos then allegedly gave the camera to a security guard and took off.
*DMX was released from a Miami jail on Wednesday after agreeing to a plea deal: time served and about a $483 fine, reported TMZ.com. The rapper pleaded guilty to drug charges, which could have sent him to prison for six years. A bench warrant for DMX’s arrest is still in effect in Arizona, where officials have 15 days to arrest him on multiple charges, including drug and paraphernalia possession.
As he sits in a Miami jail awaiting a hearing, DMX’s camp released a statement announcing his newest venture, a reality show that will chronicle his numerous legal problems.
Titled “DMX: This Life of Mine,” the series will feature the rapper attempting to rehabilitate himself, while trying to avoid prison time for pending charges of possessing drug paraphernalia, possessing marijuana, animal cruelty charges and theft, for allegedly giving a fake name when he was treated at a Scottsdale hospital earlier this year, reports Allhiphop.com.
“In many ways, my life has been an open book,” DMX told the Web site in a statement. “[But] I haven’t always been the one writing the story. With this show; however, people will get to see and hear with their own eyes and ears what really goes on in my life and I think they’ll come to understand me a little bit better with each episode.”
Shot in the Arizona desert, cameras follow DMX as he reevaluates his life, discusses his parentless childhood, and reveals his battle with depression and thoughts of suicide.
“DMX: This Life of Mine” is being produced in conjunction with Phoenix, Arizona based After Platinum Entertainment. CEO Ernie Romero said they have yet to find a network, but several have already expressed interest in airing the six-episode series.
“After watching this show, people will come to realize that despite all the stories and all the rumors about me, despite how well they may think they know me, there is another side to DMX that they have never seen and hopefully, it will make people question what they see and hear about me in the future,” said DMX.
The rapper previously starred in his own reality show for BET, titled “The Soul of a Man,” which chronicled his life and legal problems.
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