Substance Found in DMX Raid Not Drugs
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 8:19 PM EDT
The Associated Press
By TERRY TANG Associated Press Writer
PHOENIX (AP) — Investigators said a chunky textured substance seized from the bedroom of rapper DMX was not an illegal drug.
"We're still looking at what type of powder that is," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Tuesday. "But we did seize a useable quantity of marijuana. He does have a drug situation there."
Sheriff's deputies found three dead dogs, guns, ammunition and drug paraphernalia at his Cave Creek residence Friday. Arpaio said officers were working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine whether DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was legally permitted to possess the weapons.
Authorities were looking into how the dogs died. Deputies found 12 other dogs that appeared malnourished. But none looked like they had been used for fighting, Arpaio said.
No charges have been filed against the rapper.
DMX, meanwhile, said through his attorney he was innocent of any wrongdoing and had not been home for "several months." Sheriff Arpaio said neighbors saw him within the past three weeks.
Sheriff's deputies made a series of visits to the rapper's home after an Aug. 7 report of neglected pit bulls. They found a man caring for several dogs during an Aug. 22 visit but he told them he was going on vacation and didn't know who would replace him, according to a search warrant affidavit.
The man, identified as Brad Blackwell, said he had only agreed to take care of the dogs for a couple of days until DMX could find someone else. According to the affidavit, deputies were told that DMX's manager had been sending him money for dog food through Western Union.
The rapper has had previous run-ins with the law. In June 2006, Scottsdale police cited him for carrying a concealed handgun outside a nightclub.
He also served 70 days in jail in 2005 for violating his parole following a 2004 incident in which he posed as an undercover federal agent and crashed his sport utility vehicle through a security gate at Kennedy International Airport.
DMX recorded the 1999 hit single "Party Up (Up in Here)." His last album, "Year of the Dog ... Again," was released last year.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 8:19 PM EDT
The Associated Press
By TERRY TANG Associated Press Writer
PHOENIX (AP) — Investigators said a chunky textured substance seized from the bedroom of rapper DMX was not an illegal drug.
"We're still looking at what type of powder that is," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Tuesday. "But we did seize a useable quantity of marijuana. He does have a drug situation there."
Sheriff's deputies found three dead dogs, guns, ammunition and drug paraphernalia at his Cave Creek residence Friday. Arpaio said officers were working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine whether DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was legally permitted to possess the weapons.
Authorities were looking into how the dogs died. Deputies found 12 other dogs that appeared malnourished. But none looked like they had been used for fighting, Arpaio said.
No charges have been filed against the rapper.
DMX, meanwhile, said through his attorney he was innocent of any wrongdoing and had not been home for "several months." Sheriff Arpaio said neighbors saw him within the past three weeks.
Sheriff's deputies made a series of visits to the rapper's home after an Aug. 7 report of neglected pit bulls. They found a man caring for several dogs during an Aug. 22 visit but he told them he was going on vacation and didn't know who would replace him, according to a search warrant affidavit.
The man, identified as Brad Blackwell, said he had only agreed to take care of the dogs for a couple of days until DMX could find someone else. According to the affidavit, deputies were told that DMX's manager had been sending him money for dog food through Western Union.
The rapper has had previous run-ins with the law. In June 2006, Scottsdale police cited him for carrying a concealed handgun outside a nightclub.
He also served 70 days in jail in 2005 for violating his parole following a 2004 incident in which he posed as an undercover federal agent and crashed his sport utility vehicle through a security gate at Kennedy International Airport.
DMX recorded the 1999 hit single "Party Up (Up in Here)." His last album, "Year of the Dog ... Again," was released last year.