Lil Nas X faces four felony charges after confrontation with Los Angeles police
Rapper and singer Montero Lamar Hill, known professionally as Lil Nas X, pleaded not guilty on Monday to three counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer, the district attorney’s office said. The charges are more serious than initial reports suggested, and if convicted on all counts, he could face more than a decade in prison.
Authorities say the 26-year-old was walking naked along Ventura Boulevard, a busy stretch in the Studio City area, around 6 a.m. last Friday when officers encountered him. He allegedly charged at the officers and was subsequently taken into custody. Police, who suspected a possible overdose, transported him to a hospital for evaluation before he was booked into jail, where he has remained. He is being held on bail of $75,000, with the condition that he attend drug treatment. It was not immediately clear whether he had posted the bond.
Lil Nas X’s attorney, Christy O’Connor, told a judge that the artist has led a “remarkable” life, noting two Grammy awards among other accomplishments. “Assuming the allegations here are true, this is an absolute aberration in this person’s life,” O’Connor said, according to NBC.
The charges were first reported by TMZ. Hill is scheduled to return to court on September 15 for his next pre-trial hearing.
Background on the artist highlights his 2019 breakout hit Old Town Road, which blended country and hip-hop and spent a record 19 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. His 2021 debut studio album, Montero, reached No. 2 on the charts and earned a Grammy nomination for album of the year.
Summary
Lil Nas X is facing four felony counts following an early-morning incident in Studio City in which he allegedly walked naked on a busy Los Angeles street and charged at police. He has entered a not-guilty plea, remains in custody on bail with a drug-treatment condition, and is due back in court in mid-September. The case marks another high-profile legal matter involving a major music artist and highlights ongoing scrutiny of conduct and accountability in the entertainment industry.
Commentary and context
– The legal process will determine whether the charges stand and what penalties may follow if convicted. As with any high-profile case, public attention and media coverage are likely to be intense, but the proceedings will proceed under due process and presumption of innocence.
– For fans and the artist’s career, outcomes can hinge on the specifics of the incident, any underlying health or safety issues, and the ability to address such concerns through court-mandated programs.
– This case adds to a broader conversation about celebrity conduct, accountability, and the support systems available for performers facing personal or health challenges.
If more details emerge, this article will be updated to reflect new court dates, outcomes, and any statements from the artist or his representatives.
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