CELEBRITY JUSTICE ™

21 Savage is about to be a free man because he'll finally be released on bond pending a deportation hearing.

21's lawyers, Charles H. Kuck, Dina LaPolt and Alex Spiro tell TMZ, "21 Savage asked us to send a special message to his fans and supporters -- he says that while he wasn't present at the Grammy Awards, he was there in spirit and is grateful for the support from around the world and is more than ever, ready to be with his loved ones and continue making music that brings people together."

The statement from 21's legal team ends with, "He will not forget this ordeal or any of the other fathers, sons, family members, and faceless people, he was locked up with or that remain unjustly incarcerated across the country. And he asks for your hearts and minds to be with them."

Savage was arrested on Super Bowl Sunday by ICE. As we reported, he was in the process of attempting to get a U-Visa.

His attorneys say 21 was granted an expedited hearing.

It's unclear why ICE held 21 for so long because, by all rights, he should have been allowed to bond out the day he was arrested. He was neither a flight risk nor a danger to his community, which is the standard for holding someone in jail pending a deportation hearing.

A massive social media campaign titled "21 Ways You Could Be Detained If You're Undocumented in America" just dropped with tons of celebs in support of Savage. Stars like Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, DJ Khaled, Jesse Williams, SZA, J. Cole, T.I., Future, Mike Tyson and America Ferrera lend both their voices and faces to the project. Mic originated the #21Ways campaign and produced the video.

11:35 AM PT -- The sketch artist in the courtroom caught the moment El Chapo and his wife exchanged thumbs-up after the verdict was announced.

Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman is guilty on all 10 counts he was facing in a Brooklyn federal court ... and he's now facing life in prison.

A jury of 7 women and 5 men returned the verdict Tuesday to wrap up a nearly 3-month long criminal trial that included up to 200 hours of testimony about drug trafficking, gold-plated AK-47s, diamond-encrusted pistols ... and an alleged $100 million payment to a former Mexican president.

After 6 days of deliberations, the jury returned guilty verdicts against Chapo for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to launder narcotics proceeds, international distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other drugs and use of firearms.

Reporters in the courtroom say Chapo looks stunned by the verdict, and his wife, Emma Coronel, fought back tears ... even as she and Chapo gave each other thumbs up.

It's been a wild ride for the Sinaloa Cartel's leader over these past few years. He was captured by the Mexican government in 2014, escaped more than a year later through a mile-long underground tunnel ... but got caught again in early 2016.

He was extradited to the U.S. in 2017, and between then and last November -- when his criminal trial got underway -- there have been a series of weird motions and rulings about his life behind bars. Just to name a few, Chapo has had prison TV woes, prayer problems, love letter recommendations and made a heartfelt promise NOT to kill his anonymous jurors.

Law enforcement sources tell us Chapo is looking at a mandatory life sentence ... without parole. Sentencing will be announced June 25.

Chapo's lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman -- who's in the unenviable position of losing the case -- tells us, "We're very disappointed but we fought like hell and left it all on the battlefield."

Blake Griffin's dog is a violent menace -- so says an L.A. man who claims the Detroit Pistons star's pooch bit the crap out of him at a fancy restaurant ... and now he's suing.

The man behind the suit is Emmanuel Aframian -- who claims he was dining at A Votre Sante restaurant back in June 2018 when Griffin's "vicious" dog attacked him out of nowhere.

Aframian says he suffered real injuries from the attack which required expensive medical care -- and he thinks Griffin should have to cover all the bills ... plus other damages.

And, Aframian says Blake KNEW his dog had a history of biting random people -- so he should have taken proper steps to make sure he protected the public from his ferocious canine.

He's also going after the restaurant -- saying it had a duty to protect customers.

Aside from physical injuries, Aframian says he's also suffered -- and continues to suffer -- from "severe emotional harm."

FYI, Griffin signed a $171 MILLION contract extension in 2018.

Antonio Brown was found guilty in his reckless driving case -- stemming from a November incident when cops say the NFL star was doing 100 MPH in his Porsche.

Remember, cops in Pittsburgh were responding to a bank robbery on Nov. 8 when they saw a black Porsche racing away from the scene.

Cops gave chase and pulled the car over -- but it wasn't a bank robber, it was Brown, who was cited for reckless driving and ordered to appear in court.

Brown did NOT show up to court Tuesday and therefore did not fight the charges. The judge has ordered him to pay roughly $400 in fines and other fees. He has 30 days to appeal the case.

The Pittsburgh Steelers star is in the middle of a $68 MILLION contract -- it's peanuts to him.

11:20 AM PT -- As for the redacted information, the rep says, "Any redacted information was intended to protect the privacy of personal contacts or high-profile individuals not relevant to the attack.

10:15 AM PT -- A rep for Jussie tells us, "Jussie is the victim here, which has been stated by the Superintendent of Police. Jussie has voluntarily provided his phone records from within an hour of the attack and given multiple statements to police. Chicago PD has repeatedly informed us that they find Jussie's account of what happened that night consistent and credible."

The rep continues, "Superintendent Johnson has been clear from day one that Jussie is a victim. We are continuing to work closely with the Chicago PD and remain confident that they will find Jussie's attackers and bring them to justice."

Jussie Smollett's submitted critical phone records to Chicago police, but those records have been rejected because they're not the real deal.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... what Jussie turned in 2 weeks after his alleged attack was a heavily redacted PDF file of his phone bill. Our sources say a PDF is subject to manipulation, meaning numbers can be added or deleted, although police are quick to point out there's no evidence they were in fact manipulated. The problem ... the only solid, irrefutable evidence is either the actual phone bill or a download of Jussie's phone.

As we reported, Jussie says he was on the phone with his manager at the time of the attack and the manager says he heard the racial and homophobic epithets. Chicago PD wants the phone records to authenticate a call was made. They asked Jussie for the records 2 weeks ago and received the PDF Monday.

Police say there are cameras everywhere in the area of Jussie's building, but there is still a 60-second gap in the video where you don't see the "Empire" star. So far there's no video of the attack.

Our sources say police have also retrieved security video from nearby stores to see if anybody bought rope around the time of the incident. Police are reviewing the video.

Police say Jussie remains cooperative and they are treating him as the victim of a hate crime.

As you know, Jussie says his attackers tied a rope around his neck ... police say there's video of Jussie with a rope around his neck in the lobby. They are not saying if the rope is around his neck outside the building because they say that would interfere with the investigation.

You don't think the people at Fortnite were gonna back down from a fight, did you?

TMZ has learned Epic Games has loaded up their metaphorical Battle Bus to go to war with 2 Milly, the rapper who claims the video game stole his signature Milly Rock dance move.

Remember, 2 Milly sued Epic Games back in December for copyright infringement claiming ownership of the Milly Rock, which Fortnite players can use to celebrate a victory on the virtual battlefield.

But, Epic says they have done nothing wrong -- because 1) No one can own a dance step. And, 2) The dance in Fortnite is different than the Milly Rock.

Epic's argument isn't too complex -- they claim copyright law does NOT allow people to own individual dance steps and simple dance routines because they are "building blocks of free expression."

The other argument ... Fortnite claims their characters aren't even doing the Milly Rock, but rather a similar dance called the Swipe It ... which is a slower version of the M.R.

2/12 6:55 AM PT -- YB and Thigpen were just released on bond.

3:35 PM PT -- According to cops, YB and a female companion named Starr Thigpen were hanging out in a hotel room that "was supposed to be unoccupied." Housekeeping entered the room, and YB allegedly told Thigpen to get them out ... that's when Thigpen attacked one of the maids, striking her in the face.

The police report -- obtained by TMZ -- states the fight spilled into the hallway until the housekeeper could get away and call the cops. When cops arrived, both YB and Thigpen were arrested.

NBA YoungBoy just got busted in Atlanta, and he's set to appear before a judge Tuesday ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us the Louisiana-born MC is currently locked up at the Atlanta City Detention Center, where he's been booked for three misdemeanors -- possession of weed (less than an ounce), use of fighting words and physical obstruction with another.

His bond hasn't been set yet, but he's got a court hearing early Tuesday morning. Details on the arrest are unclear, but an eyewitness tells us he was busted along with a female companion.

You'll recall ... YB was indicted last year for allegedly beating the hell out of his then-girlfriend, and one of the charges he faced was felony kidnapping.

We posted video of the alleged assault, captured on a hotel surveillance camera.

Originally Published -- 3:19 PM PST

Angela Simmons' ex-fiance went down in a hail of bullets when he was murdered ... TMZ has learned.

We knew Sutton Tennyson was shot multiple times back in November, but now his autopsy reveals the exact number of fatal shots was 13 ... to his chest, stomach, legs and arms. The Fulton County Medical Examiner says 3 of the shots did an "enormous amount of damage" to his heart ... piercing several chambers of the organ.

Other shots were lodged in Sutton's lungs, and pierced his stomach and spleen. Nine of the shots penetrated his body, and 4 only cut or grazed him.

As we reported, Sutton -- the father of Angela's 2-year-old son -- was in his Atlanta driveway when he got into an argument with Michael Williams, who cops say opened fire, then fled in a car. Witnesses told police the men were arguing about money.

When drug kingpin El Chapo's verdict comes down, law enforcement at the courthouse will be ready for the worst case scenario after running drills for an active shooter crisis ... TMZ has learned.

According to sources at the Brooklyn Federal Court where El Chapo's trial is going down ... U.S. Marshals led courthouse staffers through a mandatory active shooter drill the week before jury selection began back in the fall.

We're told certain employees were chosen to pretend they'd been shot -- while others would try to fight back. Some drills were run with a single shooter, and others with multiple shooters. We're told the Marshals timed how long it took them to apprehend the culprit.

The drills took the court staff by surprise. One source, who's worked at the court for years, tells us they'd never seen anything like it ... even though they've had tons of high profile cases there.

Of course, El Chapo is a different beast altogether due to drug cartel connections, and the fact he's escaped custody multiple times in the past.

The jurors been partially sequestered while in deliberations, and the verdict could be handed down this week. As you know, El Chapo is facing life in prison.

Blac Chyna's response to her mother accusing her of being an unfit parent can be summed up in just 4 words: new number, who dis?

Sources close to Chyna tell TMZ ... BC and her mom, Tokyo, haven't seen each other in at least 2 years so it's impossible for her to have a clue about how she parents Dream ... much less who should have custody.

TMZ broke the story ... Tokyo told us Rob Kardashian deserved to get custody of Dream until BC gets her s*** together. She thinks Chyna's series of bad choices -- as in this, this and this -- show she's not mommy material right now. So much for blood being thicker than water.

Ironically, our sources say Chyna thinks it's Tokyo's bad life decisions that drove a wedge between them years ago -- although they wouldn't say exactly what Tokyo did wrong ... in her daughter's eyes.

We're told Chyna's not the least bit worried about her mother's opinions, because she provides for her 2 kids, protects them and hires round-the-clock nannies to help care for them.

Post Malone is taking heat for seemingly avoiding the subject of 21 Savage's arrest and detainment during his Grammys performance -- but PM was definitely showing love ... ya just couldn't see it.

Post performed his hit song "Rockstar" Sunday during the award show -- which, of course, features 21 Savage. Thing is, Post didn't directly address Savage's situation during his stage time ... and appeared to avoid Savage's verse altogether.

Some folks thought PM was doing 21 dirty by not taking the opportunity to speak out for his fellow MC -- who's currently being detained by ICE for being in the country illegally.

While Post didn't shout out Savage on camera, he was spotted backstage wearing a 21 Savage t-shirt -- which was presumably on him during the"Rockstar" performance.

He joins a movement that was out in force in front of the Staples Center before showtime -- the #Free21Savage coalition ... which had people marching with signs in support of the Atlanta-based rapper.

Young Thug nearly didn't make it to the Grammys after he got put in cuffs just hours beforehand -- but, luckily, he didn't find himself in a jail cell come showtime.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... YT and a group of guys riding in a van were pulled over early Sunday morning for a traffic violation in WeHo. We're told Young Thug and the other passengers were taken out of the car and handcuffed.

As you can see in this video, obtained by TMZ, they were lined up outside a McDonald's ... and, at one point, Thug also had his hands over his head.

Our sources tell us one of the men in the vehicle -- not Thug -- told police that he was in possession of a registered firearm, but upon further inspection ... cops found the gun wasn't registered in California, so the guy got arrested on the spot. Everyone else was cut loose.

It's a good thing YT was able to walk away from this relatively scot-free, 'cause he was part of the opening act later Sunday alongside Camila Cabello. Seeing how he's the featured artist on her song, "Havana" ... it was kinda important that he be there.

He also ended up winning his first Grammy ever for his contribution to Childish Gambino's "This Is America," which won Song of the Year. YT was one of many MCs who provided backing vocals for the track.

4:30 PM PT -- Jake Paul's lawyer tells TMZ ... Jake was not present during the citizen's arrest. The lawyer adds Jake was not even aware of the citizen's arrest at the time it was made.

Jake Paul's security roughed up a neighbor and falsely placed him under a citizen's arrest because of the way he looked ... according to a new suit.

Paul's neighbor claims in February 2018, he rang the buzzer to enter Jake's home and drove his car in once the gate was opened for him. He says he wanted to speak with Paul about cars driving at high speeds in and out of his residence ... which he felt was a safety concern for their community.

According to the docs ... one of Jake's friends verbally attacked the man once he got out of his car, and a security guard got in his face and accused him of trespassing. He claims the guard then "grabbed him, twisted his arm behind his back and threw him against his car to hold" him.

The man says cops were called by Paul's people, and he was detained while they tried to convince the officers he was trespassing. According to the docs ... the cops didn't find evidence of that and let him go.

The man claims the citizen's arrest at Paul's pad was done without reasonable probable cause and even worse ... he thinks it was "racially motivated" based on his religion and nationality.

He's suing Paul for false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress ... and wants damages.

Michael Jackson's Estate is slamming HBO, claiming the network is part of a grossly unfair hatchet job just to make a buck.

The Estate is lashing out after HBO announced "Leaving Neverland" will be broadcast on March 3 and 4.

The Estate's letter to HBO targets director Dan Reed, claiming he featured 2 admitted perjurers -- Wade Robson and James Safechuck -- and consciously refused to contact anyone who would discredit them. And, the letter makes it clear -- there are plenty of people who do just that.

The letter says, "The Estate spent years litigating with Robson and Safechuck, and had four different lawsuits by these two men dismissed with prejudice. Today, Robson owes the Estate almost seventy thousand dollars in court costs, and Safechuck owes the Estate thousands of dollars as well."

And, the letter goes on, noting that following MJ's 2009 death, Robson said Michael was "one of the main reasons I believe in the pure goodness of human kind."

As for why Robson changed his story ... the Estate reiterated what it's said before, that he became angry when the Estate rejected him as a choreographer for the MJ-themed Cirque de Soleil.

And, the letter says, "Robson is such a good liar that his own mother testified under oath at her deposition that she could not tell when he was lying; she even volunteered that 'he should have had an Oscar given how convincing his lies were.'"

The Estate blasts Safechuck, scoffing at claims that his memory of abuse was triggered when he saw Robson on the "Today" show, adding, "Safechuck's frivolous lawsuits were dismissed so early in the proceedings that significant discovery was never taken ..."

The woman who played Michael Jackson's costar in the iconic music video "Thriller" is in the midst of a real-life nightmare ... now that her ex-manager has been charged with felony stalking.

Ola Ray's alleged stalker, Timothy Beal, has been slapped with a slew of charges coming on the heels of incidents last month that forced her to file for a restraining order. Beal's been charged with 3 felonies -- stalking, vandalism and grand theft, as well as 6 misdemeanor counts of contempt in court.

According to legal docs ... Ray got a restraining order January 11 after alleging her ex-manager showed up to her house unannounced for 3 straight days. She claims Beal banged on her door, yelled profanity and threatened her, her grandkids and son-in-law.

Beal was ordered to stay at least 100 yards away, but less than a week after she got the restraining order, he allegedly followed and harassed Ray ... hence the felony stalking charge.

The vandalism and grand theft charges are for allegedly busting up Ray's Ford Thunderbird and stealing the car's hardtop.

Kanye West had good intentions when he asked a mom for permission to sample a viral clip of her daughter praying -- the only problem is ... he asked the wrong mom, according to a lawsuit.

Andrew and Shirley Green say they are the legal guardians of the little girl, Natalie, whose voice you hear in the opening seconds of Kanye's track, "Ultralight Beam." The audio was taken from a viral video of Natalie excitedly reciting a prayer when she was 4.

However, in docs obtained by TMZ, the Greens say they adopted Natalie in December 2012 -- but Kanye's team reached out to Natalie's biological mom, Alice Johnson, to get permission to use Natalie's voice. The Greens say Alice has no legal right to give Kanye the green light.

What's more ... the Greens say Kanye's team was supposed to send a written license agreement and payment to Alice, but never did.

The Greens are suing Ye to get a slice of his profits from 'Ultralight' -- featured on his 'Life of Pablo' album -- and other damages.

We've reached out to Kanye's team for comment, so far no word back.