DMX arrested for drugs and animal cruelty

Rap star DMX was arrested on Friday on suspicion of drug possession and animal cruelty after two searches of his home allegedly turned up weapons, drugs, dog carcasses and abused pit bulls.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said DMX, 37, whose real name is Earl Simmons, initially barricaded himself in his bedroom when officers arrived at his home at 3AM. He eventually surrendered without offering further resistance. In addition, on Tuesday, state police arrested him for driving at speeds as high as 114 miles per hour on freeway.

Police first raided his home in the Cave Creek community near Phoenix last August. They found 12 distressed pit bulls and three dead animals partially buried on the property as well as a number of firearms. An indictment was issued on seven counts of animal cruelty after the August raid. Police staged Friday's raid to arrest DMX on charges from their initial investigation. This time, they also found unspecified illegal drugs and five more pit bull puppies, which they removed from the house.

DMX pleaded guilty in New Jersey to animal cruelty charges in 2002 for neglecting some 13 pit bulls, according to news reports. As part of his sentence, he was required to make a public service announcement against animal abuse. And all this after he repeatedly stated his love for dogs in public in previous years, saying that he would rather "chill with his dogs" than with people.

Source: Reuters

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