Rap star Lil Nas X has been charged for attacking police during a naked, late-night drug binge in Los Angeles.
The openly gay, 26-year-old entertainer, known for the country rap single "Old Town Road," pleaded not guilty Monday to four felony counts - three counts of battery against a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer.
The rapper, whose real name is Montero Hill, had been seen wandering the streets of Los Angeles in nothing but underwear and a pair of cowboy boots early Thursday, August 21. He is accused of injuring at least three cops as they tried to arrest him.
Footage of the disturbing incident that was publicized by TMZ showed the rapper roaming Ventura Boulevard and placing an orange traffic cone on his head.
When police arrived, the rapper "punched an officer twice in the face," according to reports.
After a struggle, the rapper was hospitalized for a suspected drug overdose and then booked in the county jail on a misdemeanor battery charge.
“This morning, around 5:50 a.m., officers responded to the 11000 block of Ventura Boulevard for a nude man walking in the street,” the police said.
“Upon arrival, the suspect charged at officers and was taken into custody. He was transported to a local hospital for a possible overdose,” the spokesperson added.
The rapper was released from jail Monday on a $75,000 bail, which is less than the $300,000 requested by prosecutors.
The Los Angeles District attorney, Nate Hochman, said the famous rapper would be held to the same standard as anyone else who breaks the law.
“Attacking police officers is more than just a crime against those individuals but a direct threat to public safety,” Nathan J. Hochman, the Los Angeles County District Attorney, said in a news release. “Anyone who assaults law enforcement will face serious consequences, no matter who they are or how famous they may be.”
Upon his release from jail, the man who roamed the streets at night while naked, and then charged at police, described his jail stay as a "terrifying" experience.
"Your girl is gonna be OK, boo. OK? S–t’s gonna be all right,” he said in an Instagram Story. “S–t’s gonna be all right. S–t. That was f–king terrifying. That was terrifying. That was a terrifying last four days. But your girl is gonna be all right.”
If found guilty, he faces up to five years in prison.
