Crime & Arrests

Kim Kardashian paid a visit to one of the nation's most notorious prisons Thursday, and the timing and location is super interesting.

Sources familiar with the visit tell TMZ ... Kim dropped in on San Quentin State Prison in Northern California, and was on the grounds for several hours, meeting with prison staff and inmates. We're told Kim was at the famous institution to check out programs the prison offers for prisoners.

It's interesting ... death row inmate Kevin Cooper is at San Quentin -- he's the man whose case Kim has been asking the Governor of California to look into -- but it's unclear if Kim and Kevin came face-to-face during her latest visit.

As for the timing of the visit, two death row inmates reportedly killed themselves over the weekend ... but it's unclear how long Kim had this visit planned.

Plies just caught a break after being hauled out of an airport in cuffs this summer, because prosecutors are dropping the felony gun charge against the rapper ... TMZ has learned.

A county clerk tells us Plies was facing a felony charge for carrying a concealed firearm, but prosecutors dropped it after he completed a concealed weapons course. They'd also determined he had a valid permit for carrying a concealed weapon.

We broke the story ... Plies was arrested in September after a gun was found in his carry-on luggage as he was attempting to board a Delta flight in Tampa. TSA agents discovered a Glock .43 in one of his bags, as well as a fully-loaded magazine lying next to the firearm, and cops said Plies did not have a permit for the gun.

Sources close to Plies tell TMZ he grabbed the wrong bag by mistake, and admitted the gun is his.

El Chapo will not get to embrace his wife in the courtroom when his trial begins next week -- the judge denied his request.

According to docs, the judge said, "The Court is sympathetic to the request" ... but is also "constrained to deny it." TMZ broke the story, the drug cartel honcho asked the judge to make a humanitarian gesture and allow his wife, Emma Aispuro, to hug him because he's had no human contact.

In his request, El Chapo said the lack of contact with the outside world -- he's been in solitary confinement for 2 years -- was hurting his mental health.

Former boxing Jermain Taylor was arrested and hauled to jail Wednesday morning ... and it all stems from an incident where he allegedly KO'd and threatened to kill his GF.

Back in August, Taylor was arrested in Arkansas for allegedly knocking a woman unconscious ... and holding a knife to her throat.

At the time, he was booked into the county jail ... but released on $15k bond.

Now prosecutors are moving forward with the case ... indicting the former middleweight champ on felony aggravated assault, felony terroristic threats and misdemeanor domestic battery.

The indictment triggered an arrest warrant ... so cops went and picked up Taylor.

JT's currently in the Pulaski County jail.

FYI -- this ain't the first time Taylor's been in trouble with the law ... he's previously been arrested for allegedly shooting his own cousin, allegedly making terroristic threats and firing a handgun at an MLK Jr. parade, and allegedly brutally beating a fellow patient at a rehab facility.

Taylor is set to appear before a judge Thursday morning.

10:13 AM PT -- Taylor has been released from county jail on $10K bail.

The man who allegedly shot and killed Angela Simmons' ex-fiance has turned himself into authorities ... TMZ has learned.

The lawyer for Michael Williams tells TMZ ... Williams turned himself into the Atlanta Police Dept. just moments ago. The 44-year-old has been charged with murder.

The attorney, Jackie Patterson, tells us his client denies the allegations that he shot and killed Sutton Tennyson, Angela's ex-fiance and father of their child.

As we reported ... Sutton was shot and killed over the weekend at his home. Cops say they found him dead in his garage with multiple gunshot wounds. Cops added Sutton was talking in the driveway with another man when the conversation got heated and he was shot. The suspect fled in a car.

Following Sutton's death, Simmons said, "Thank you for leaving behind my greatest gift. I'm hurting. I'm numb. Thank you for the outpouring of love everyone. I can't believe I'm even saying Rest in Peace Sutton. I promise to hold SJ down in every way I promise."

Craig Carton -- half of the famous 'Boomer and Carton' sports talk show on WFAN -- has been found guilty of running a massive concert ticket scam.

The radio personality -- who quit his job as Boomer Esiason's cohost amid a federal investigation back in September 2017 -- was convicted in court Wednesday ... and is now facing up to 45 years in federal prison.

As we previously reported ... Carton and a partner claimed to have been operating a ticket business that promised blocks of tickets to big concerts -- yet officials say it was all a lie ... they never had the tix.

Carton was accused of defrauding investors out of more than $2 million.

The radio host was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the U.S., wire fraud and securities fraud.

Carton -- who didn't testify at trial -- called the charges "unfounded" back in 2017 ... and said he looked forward to "clearing his name."

El Chapo has a simple request for the judge in his drug trial ... he wants to hug his wife in the courtroom.

Chapo's lawyers just filed legal docs asking the judge to allow him to embrace his wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro, over the courtroom railing.

The lawyers say it would be a "humanitarian gesture," because he hasn't had any contact with his wife for 2 years since his arrest. He's been in solitary confinement and has had no ability to see, call or write her the entire time.

Chapo's lawyers say, aside from meeting with them, he's had no contact with the outside world and, as a result, his mental health has deteriorated. The legal docs say, "The only human contact Mr. Guzman has had since his extradition has been with the jail personnel when putting and removing his shackles, and a quick handshake from his attorneys when he goes to court."

The judge has yet to rule on the hug.

"Ink Master" star Chris Blinston ended an argument with his girlfriend by picking up a safe and using it to clear the room ... according to the cops who locked him up.

Blinston was busted for simple battery Monday night in Palm Beach County, FL. According to the police report, he told his GF he wanted the social security cards and birth certificates for their 3 kids. She told him they were locked in a safe and she'd grab them later, but instead, Blinston grabbed the safe and threatened to take an axe to it.

In the report, obtained by TMZ, Blinston's GF told cops he pressed the safe against her chest and moved her out of the way. He denied touching her, but he got hauled off to jail. He was released Tuesday, but must stay away from her.

NY Giants backup QB Kyle Lauletta says he's sorry for his October arrest -- where he allegedly almost ran over a cop -- claiming, "My parents raised me better than that."

Kyle also says he's gotten support from Eli Manning -- who reached out hours after the arrest.

As we previously reported, Lauletta -- who many believe should get a shot to start over Eli Manning -- was pulled over on his way to practice last Tuesday after cops say he was driving like a maniac.

During the attempted stop, officers say the 23-year-old "attempted to evade [the arresting officer], making an illegal turn and continuing towards Route 495, almost striking the officer."

He's facing several charges -- it's a bad look for the guy.

So, Tuesday morning, Lauletta issued a statement ... saying, "First things first I want to apologize to the #NYGiants organization, my teammates, the fans and my family."

"The incident that happened last week is a terrible representation of who I am and what I stand for."

"Right is right and wrong is wrong. My parents raised me better than that. It’s tough, and I have to take it as a lesson and move forward from it."

"I have to deal with the consequences, and that’s that."

He added, "I’m going to do everything I can to be the best teammate I can be, get back to work and try to keep moving forward one day at a time."

7:11 PM PT -- Alec has denied the allegations on Twitter, stating, "Normally, I would not comment on something as egregiously misstated as today's story. However, the assertion that I punched anyone over a parking spot is false. I wanted to go on the record stating as such." 

1:30 PM PT -- Baldwin was just released and said nothing as he left the police station.

12:56 PM PT -- Baldwin has been charged with misdemeanor assault and harassment. He was given a desk appearance ticket.

Alec Baldwin was arrested in NYC Friday morning ... TMZ has learned.

Witnesses tell us ... the actor got into an argument with another man over a parking spot near 10th Street and 5th Avenue. Our law enforcement sources tell us Alec had a friend holding the spot for him, but the other man swooped in.

We're told Baldwin became irate, an argument ensued, and Baldwin punched the man in the jaw. The alleged victim, a 49-year-old male, was taken to the hospital.

One witness tells us Alec yelled "F**k off" during the fight. Cops were called and Alec was arrested. Baldwin lives in the area.

Of course, he openly detests and mocks President Trump while playing him on 'SNL' -- so, not surprisingly, the Prez weighed in on the arrest. What is shocking is how reserved he was.

Paris Saint-Germain soccer star Marco Verratti -- one of the best midfielders in the world -- was arrested for drunk driving Tuesday night in France, the team has confirmed.

The 25-year-old's blood alcohol level was reportedly a .20 -- more than double the legal limit in France for people who recently obtained their driver's license.

The team says Veratti -- who also plays for the Italian national team -- was subjected to a "roadside check" while behind the wheel of his car and that's when cops noticed he was hammered.

PSG says the incident is a violation of the ethics clause in his contract -- and he'll be docked pay from his monthly "ethics bonus."

The team says the fine will remind players that "exemplary behavior that must be theirs in all circumstances with regard to their status as a player of the day."

Heather Locklear was vicious, violent and wished death by AIDS on the children of an EMT that was placing her on a gurney during her June arrest ... so says the EMT in a newly filed lawsuit.

Jennifer Hayn-Hiton -- a single mother of 3 -- was working as an EMT on June 24 when she was dispatched to Locklear's L.A. home for a disturbance call. Hayn-Hiton claims Locklear became verbally and physically abusive during the incident, kicking her and causing injury.

According to the docs -- filed Thursday and obtained by TMZ -- Locklear also wished death on the EMT's 3 minor children from AIDS.

Hayn-Hiton says the injuries at the hands and feet of Locklear caused her to miss work and, as a result, her paycheck shrunk.

TMZ broke the story -- Locklear was charged with interfering with law enforcement and battery. She was hospitalized 24 hours after her release from jail for an apparent overdose ... and she's been in rehab ever since.

Hayn-Hiton's attorney, Kevin Flahavan, tells us, "This has taken a tremendous toll on our client and her children. When Ms. Locklear went to rehab, we had hoped that she would learn about making amends to those she had harmed."

He continues, "We have reached out to her and she ignored us time and time again. It became apparent that Ms. Locklear wasn't going to accept responsibility for her actions on her own."

As for the lawsuit ... Hayn-Hiton is asking for unspecified damages to cover medical costs, pain and suffering and lost wages.

We reached out to a rep for Heather ... so far, no word back.

Cops have released video of Stephen Bonnar's DUI arrest -- when he was taken down by a group of concerned citizens -- and the footage is crazy and scary at the same time.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the UFC Hall of Famer was driving like a maniac on a Nevada highway on Sunday afternoon, roughly 10 miles from the Vegas Strip.

When the Highway Patrol arrived to the scene, Bonnar was so drunk that he was passed out in the front seat. The officer dragged the 41-year-old out of his car and a group of citizens helped restrain him on the ground.

At least one of the citizens was carrying a gun.

As cops tried to place handcuffs on him, Bonnar woke up and began to resist.

One member of the group tells Bonnar, "You picked the wrong group of guys, dude."

With help from the citizens, cops eventually got him cuffed and transported him to a nearby station where he was booked for 3rd-degree felony DUI.

Cops say Bonnar reeked of booze. Medical staff also responded to the scene and determined nothing was medically abnormal, he was just drunk.

Heather Locklear is a day away from getting sued by a paramedic who claims she was viciously attacked and injured during a drunken episode that landed the actress in a jail.

TMZ broke the story ... Locklear went ballistic at her L.A. home back in June after cops showed up after getting a call from a family member saying Heather was heavily intoxicated and out of control.

When authorities arrived Heather was extremely agitated and allegedly punched a cop who was trying to separate her from her family. EMT's then tried putting her on a gurney and Heather allegedly kicked the paramedic who is about to sue her.

The paramedic will claim in her lawsuit she suffered head and neck injuries, and it was so bad she was confined to a desk job. The lawsuit, which will be filed by attorney Kevin Flahavan, will also allege Heather verbally abused the EMT.

Heather was released and was later rushed to the ER for an apparent overdose the same day. She went from the hospital into rehab for substance abuse and mental health issues.

As for the criminal case ... Heather's been charged with interfering with a law enforcement officer and 2 counts of battery. That case is pending.

Kellen Winslow Jr. is finally speaking against allegations he raped 3 women -- claiming, "I'm an innocent man."

The 35-year-old ex-NFL star appeared in court in San Diego on Tuesday to face multiple felony charges including kidnapping and forcible rape. If convicted on all counts, he faces life in prison.

Remember, he was initially arrested back in June. Officials say he kidnapped and raped 2 transient women. A 3rd woman claims Winslow raped her 15 years ago while she was unconscious.

Outside the courtroom, Winslow finally commented on the allegations to FOX 5 -- saying, "I’m innocent."

"To the people who know me out there, who know what type of person I am, know my character, my NFL friends and family, just my regular friends and family ... they know who I am. And I’m an innocent guy. I’m an innocent man."

When asked about his accusers, Winslow said, "It’s a money grab. It's a money grab and unfortunately, that’s the society we live in now. That's alI I got."

Winslow played in the NFL from 2004 to 2013 -- and made the Pro Bowl in 2007 as a tight end for the Cleveland Browns.

A linebacker on the Rutgers football team was arrested Tuesday after cops say he conspired to murder some people.

Yeah.

The player at the center of the controversy is Izaia Bullock -- a 22-year-old redshirt junior, from New Jersey.

Officials say Bullock has been charged with 2 counts of 1st-degree murder, and 2 counts of 1st-degree conspiracy to commit murder.

The details surrounding the charges are sketchy at best -- officials say the targets were family members of an acquaintance. The targets were not injured.

Rutgers has already dismissed Bullock from the team -- which isn't too big of a hit for them since the guy has barely seen any action, and has really had no impact in any game.

Bullock is still in custody and will remain locked up until his initial court appearance, officials say.

Bullock was an All-County linebacker back in high school at Linden High School in Jersey and went on to play at Gattaca Prep -- a junior college in NJ.