The rapper found himself back in a Phoenix jail cell last night after Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies arrested him for violating probation by taking drugs.
In case you’re not paying attention, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is run by Joe Arpaio, the controversial sheriff known for such practices as setting up a “tent city” to house jail inmates as well as “volunteer” chain gangs. It almost goes without saying that Sheriff Arpaio is one law enforcement official you don’t want to mess with.
But it must seem as if the Sheriff’s Department and DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, are old friends. The sheriff noted last night’s arrest was the fifth time his deputies have locked up the rapper/occasional actor.
DMX had served about half of an 18-month supervised probation period. He was released from jail last May after serving 90 days in the lockup on felony convictions, including drugs, cruelty to animals and weapons violations. During a 2007 raid on his Phoenix-area home, deputies found 12 neglected dogs, three buried dogs, drugs and a stash of weapons.
The following year DMX was arrested for speeding on a Phoenix freeway and allegedly using an alias to seek medical care without paying for it. In late 2009 the rapper pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, theft and two drug counts.
According to the Arizona Republic newspaper, after last night’s arrest, Sheriff Arpaio said he wants to see DMX sentenced to serve some “big time.”
“The irony is that the dogs he’s abused have done more time than this guy has done with so many different violations, including assaulting one of my officers,” Arpaio said. “That's not fair.”
The sheriff also said he was still figuring out where to house DMX.
“I may double bunk him, but I don't double bunk the dogs,” Arpaio said, according to the Arizona Republic. “They’ve got their single cell.”
Click here to read the Arizona Republic article.