Rapper DMX headed for jail on drug, cruelty charge

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Rapper DMX headed for jail on drug, cruelty charge
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Tue Dec 30, 5:14 pm ET

PHOENIX (Reuters) – Embattled rapper DMX faces at least 90 days in jail after pleading guilty on Tuesday to drug, theft and animal cruelty charges, Arizona prosecutors said.

The rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, pleaded to three felony charges and one misdemeanor count in Maricopa County Superior Court under a deal to settle three criminal cases against him. He also agreed not to own any animals or posses firearms.

Simmons, 38, is scheduled to be sentenced on January 30. He remains in custody.

"I am pleased that this defendant will be held accountable for both his drug and animal cruelty offenses," said County Attorney Andrew Thomas, in a statement.

Simmons attorney Charles Kozelka could not immediately be reached for comment.

The rapper turned actor has been battling legal woes during the past year in Arizona, where he maintains a home near Phoenix.

In May, he was arrested on drug and animal cruelty charges after sheriff's deputies raided his home. Authorities found dog carcasses and malnourished pit bulls at the residence.

He also was charged with assuming someone's identity and providing false information during a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., in an alleged attempt to avoid paying the bill.

Simmons has missed several court appearances, causing a county court commissioner to issue bench warrants for his arrest. The latest warrant came earlier this month.

(Reporting by David Schwartz)

Rapper DMX headed for jail on drug, cruelty charge - Yahoo! News