Lil Nas X was charged with four felonies on Monday after police said he was charged with them when they confronted him about being naked on a Los Angeles street last week.
The Old Town Road rapper, 26, whose legal name is Montero Lamar Hill, pleaded not guilty at a court hearing Monday to three counts of battery with injury to a police officer and one count of resisting an executive, the district attorney’s office said.
The charges were much more serious than initial reports, with him being investigated for a misdemeanor and facing up to five years in state prison, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said .
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The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said officers found Nas naked on Ventura Boulevard shortly before 6 a.m. Thursday.
The department said he was confronted by officers and arrested. Police suspected a possible overdose and took him to the hospital, where he spent several hours before being taken to jail. He remained behind bars after his arrest.
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The criminal complaint filed in court Monday includes few details about the incident, but says each of the three officers “unlawfully used force and violence and inflicted injury” on a person who they “reasonably should have known” was a peace officer “engaged in the line of duty.”
Lil Nas X arrested for battery on police officer
“Attacking police officers is more than just a crime against these individuals, but a direct threat to public safety,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a press release to the Local. “Anyone who attacks law enforcement will face serious consequences, no matter who they are or how famous they may be.”
After spending three days in jail, Nas was released on $75,000 bail, on the condition that he attend drug treatment.
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The 26-year-old rapper’s father has spoken out in defense of his son after he pleaded not guilty to four felony charges.
Robert Stafford told reporters that the NAS was “deeply regretful of what happened.”
“He’s going to get the help he needs and just keep him in your prayers,” Stafford said Monday. “Give him the same grace and mercy that God gives to everyone.”
He added that his son is “in good spirits” and that he is “doing great mentally.”
“We faked tears, we faked laughter, but he’s in great spirits. He’s going to be great,” Stafford said.
Nas is scheduled to return to court on September 15 for his next pretrial hearing.
In 2019, the rapper rose to fame after his breakthrough single, Old Town Road, became a viral hit.
Nas is set to release his second studio album, Dream Boy, later this year.
— With files from the Associated Press
& Copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
