People News

DMX is SOL, Sheriff Joe Arpaio on his case

By M&C People May 10, 2008, 15:15 GMT

DMX is in hot water again.

Three days after getting busted for a traffic violation, DMX was arrested early Friday at his Arizona home on suspicion of animal abuse and felony drug possession following a search of the house after a brief standoff with police when he attempted to barricade himself in his bedroom.Maricopa County sheriff's office issued a statement saying a SWAT team executed a search warrant on DMX's Cave Creek, Ariz., residence at about 3 a.m. in connection with a seven-month-old investigation into reports that DMX had a number of abused neglected pit bulls on his property."A guy like this DMX character with all his money and fame has no excuse for not providing proper care for his animals," said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. "He has a long criminal history and obviously has no respect for the law."DMX, aka Earl Simmons, holed up in his room when police were first on the scene, then acquiesced to the authorities after weapons, drugs and five pit bull puppies, were discovered.He was booked into Fourth Avenue Jail and charged with seven misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and four counts of felony drug possession, per Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. His court date is May 15.The sheriff's office is reporting that DMX's Cave Creek home was raided in August after "numerous complaints came in concerning neglected animals on his property."Following the first raid, 12 pit bull mixes were removed from the premises and taken to a veterinary ER to be treated for dehydration and malnutrition. The rotting carcasses of three other dogs partially buried on the homesite, guns, ammunition, and drugs were found inside the house.