Crime & Arrests

Tekashi69 was in mortal danger just before he got arrested for racketeering charges, and the feds say they have the proof on tape.

The feds wiretapped several ex-members of Tekashi's crew and the transcript -- obtained by TMZ -- is pretty damming ... including a convo about "feeding" Tekashi after his appearance on "The Breakfast Club." Prosecutors believe "feed" means unloading bullets.

One of the taps was on Jamel Jones -- gang name, Mel Murda -- a former member of 6ix9ine's inner circle, who is now behind bars.

During the convo, Jones says, "[Tekashi] is trying to dry snitch at the same time, homie. But he keep saying, f*** Treway, f*** that n****, Treyway. Ain't no n****, Treway. F*** Treway."

Tekashi's former manager Kifano Jordan, aka Shotti, responds with laughter and says, "Imma feed him though."

TMZ broke the story ... Tekashi was busted earlier this month on racketeering charges and prosecutors believed Tekashi was in danger of getting shot. The transcripts -- which refer to Tekashi by his birth name, Daniel Hernandez -- seem to graphically describe the danger.

Tekashi's former crew members were also recorded saying how Tekashi tried to separate himself from the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods after firing his entire staff. The feds recorded an unnamed crew member saying, "That's cool. Now he gotta get violated."

Jones replied, "Yeah, super violated. Super duper. Ain't no much he could really do unless he run around with 100 armed securities all day."

A North Carolina man grabbed a shotgun and fired at his son during a HEATED Thanksgiving Day argument about kneeling players in the NFL.

Makes you feel a little better about your family, right?

Here's the deal ... cops say 51-year-old Jorge Luis Valencia-Lamadrid had invited family members over to his home for Turkey Day when his two sons began arguing about NFL kneelers.

The sons began fighting and Jorge tried to break it up -- but realized his kids were too strong. So, he went and got his shotgun.

Officials say Jorge told his 21-year-old son -- who appeared intoxicated -- to leave the home.

Things began to escalate again -- and the son allegedly threw a water bottle at Jorge, striking him in the face -- and causing him to squeeze the trigger on his gun.

The shot connected with his son -- striking him in the hand and leg. Jorge told cops he checked on his son, made sure he wasn't seriously injured and then went inside to change his clothes.

Don't worry, the son will be fine.

As for Jorge, he was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. He's since been released.

The L.A. celebrity burglary ring is WAY bigger than we thought -- officials say a total of 10 gang members were a part of the group targeting stars like Rihanna, Yasiel Puig and LeBron James.

Officials had previously arrested 4 people in connection to the crime wave -- after video captured a couple of guys breaking into Puig's home and raiding his bedroom.

1 of the initial 4 suspects is apparently off the hook (the mother of one of the other suspects) but now 7 new men all between the ages of 18 and 25 have been arrested and charged with various crimes.

The charges include everything from criminal street gang conspiracy to 1st degree residential burglary and home invasion robbery.

In total, cops say the burglary crew hit more than 24 homes -- and had at least 12 more rich and famous targets in their sights, including Viola Davis.

The key to solving the case ... cops say a neighbor of NFL star Robert Woods had called police to report a robbery at his house. Cops located the suspect and, during the arrest, they found items connected to the other high profile cases.

In total, cops say the group stole more than $1 MILLION in property -- including $50,000 cash, watches, purses and a vehicle. Cops say one of the suspects also had a firearm.

Tekashi69's still behind bars hoping to get out on bail, but now he has something else to worry about -- the feds announcing they've had a snitch in the rapper's crew.

We broke the story ... Tekashi pled not guilty in his federal racketeering case Monday, and a trial date's been set for September 4. Things got potentially worse for him when prosecutors revealed they are working with a confidential informant who's made recordings -- presumably of conversations with 6ix9ine.

Tekashi's attorney, Lance Lazarro, admits it's a serious development in the case, telling TMZ ... "Anytime there is a confidential informant, there is cause for concern."

In court, prosecutors boasted the recordings could send Tekashi to prison for life.

His lawyer's trying be optimistic, though, saying ... "I am confident that any recorded conversations with [Tekashi] will prove that he was never a part of the Enterprise and support the conclusion that he’s innocent."

Ex-NFL star Aldon Smith was just convicted in his domestic violence case in which he allegedly roughed up his fiancee ... but he will NOT go to jail if he keeps his nose clean.

As we previously reported, the former Oakland Raiders defensive end was arrested back in March after his fiancee (now ex-fiancee) claimed Smith attacked her at their Bay Area home during a booze-fueled rage.

Smith was initially hit with 4 misdemeanor charges -- domestic violence, assault w/ force likely to produce great bodily injury, false imprisonment and vandalism and faced several years in jail.

But, on Monday, the 29-year-old struck a deal with prosecutors in which he pled no contest to 2 counts -- violating a court order and false imprisonment.

In exchange, he was sentenced to 90 days in county jail -- but he got credit for time served for the days he already spent in jail and also for his stint in a live-in alcohol treatment facility.

He also got 3 years probation, 1 year of domestic violence counseling and 25 hours of community service.

During the hearing, the judge allowed a victim statement to be read out loud in court -- in which Smith's ex said, "I may never be the same" but also wished him luck in getting/staying sober.

Tekashi69's got a date with the judge -- he got a trial date in court Monday morning after he entered a plea in his federal racketeering case.

The rapper -- who has been behind bars since Nov. 18 -- was in court, where he entered a not guilty plea. The judge set his trial date for September 4. That's a long way off and, at least for now, it seems 6ix9ine will remain behind bars for much of that period ... if not all of it.

The issue of bail was not addressed in court. As we reported, his attorney, Lance Lazzaro, plans to apply for bail directly to the trial judge. Tekashi was denied bail when Lazzaro offered to pay $750k, surrender his passport and remain on house arrest.

TMZ broke the story ... Tekashi and 2 former associates, including his manager, Shottie, were arrested by federal agents on racketeering and other serious charges. According to his indictment, obtained by TMZ, Tekashi and his crew conspired to commit a slew of crimes, including drug deals, armed robberies and shootings.

The feds believe Tekashi himself pulled an armed robbery on April 3 along with his ex-manager, Shottie, and 2 other members of the Nine Trey Bloods.

The indictment also mentions the April 21 shooting incident at Barclays Center in Brooklyn ... and fingers Fuguan Lovick as the trigger man. In all, the indictment lists 17 counts dating back to 2013.

6:50 AM PT -- Alec was just officially charged with one count of attempted assault in the third degree and one count of harassment in the second degree. The assault charge is a misdemeanor and the harassment charge is a violation. He did not enter a plea, and his defense said they turned over video evidence to the DA's office showing Alec never punched the other man.

Alec Baldwin showed up for his arraignment today -- after being charged with punching an NYC driver over a parking space -- and on this one it seems like it's advantage Baldwin.

The actor was a man of no words as he entered the courthouse. He's charged with misdemeanor assault and harassment over the scuffle that erupted earlier this month after another driver swooped in and took the space Alec thought was his.

Baldwin said shortly after the arrest he didn't punch the guy, and the police report seems to bear it out. According to the police report, the alleged victim told cops Baldwin struck him with his hand, and that's more consistent with a slap than a punch.

What's more, TMZ broke the story, surveillance video seems to show the 2 men shoving each other, which is consistent with mutual combat.

NFL linebacker Rey Maualuga dodged a bullet ... 'cause he ain't gonna spend a single minute behind bars for allegedly grabbing a club employee by the throat -- as long as he stays outta trouble.

As we previously reported, Maualuga -- who spent 9 seasons in the NFL with the Bengals and Dolphins -- was arrested in Miami in Nov. 2017 after officials say he got into a physical altercation over a $40 bar tab. He's accused of shoving and grabbing a bar employee by the throat.

31-year-old Maualuga was initially charged with misdemeanor battery and faced up to a year in jail if convicted.

But, TMZ Sports learned, the former USC Trojan cut a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to complete a pretrial diversion program and, in exchange, the charge will be dropped.

The program requires Rey to attend two 6-hour anger management courses -- designed to teach conflict resolution and impulse control ... and he's gotta stay away from the club.

Seems like a good deal to us.

Reuben Foster has been cut by the San Francisco 49ers after being arrested in Tampa Bay for domestic violence.

Tampa police said Foster and a woman got into a verbal altercation Saturday at the team's hotel. Foster allegedly slapped her phone out of her hand, pushed her in the chest and slapped her with an open hand on the right side of her face. Tampa police said the alleged victim had been in a relationship with Foster for 3 years.

This isn't Fosters' first run-in with the law. He was previously accused of domestic violence, but the judge dropped the charges in May.

Tekashi69 has a knack for finding trouble ... even behind bars.

Sources connected to the prison facility where Tekashi is currently housed tell TMZ, a number of the inmates are pissed off at what they perceive as special treatment for the rapper.

We're told as soon as Tekashi arrived at the facility -- which is often used to house informants -- a dormitory was cleared out and the only ones let back in were those who were NOT affiliated with a gang. 69 was then placed in the dorm with 11 other inmates who were described as "docile."

The dorm in question is typically used for high-profile inmates, dirty cops and child predators.

Some of the other inmates became vocal, screaming their displeasure at what they perceived as special treatment.

One inmate near 69's dorm clowned him by singing a song about a child predator. 69 had been convicted of a child sex crime and placed on 4 years probation.

Tekashi's lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, tells TMZ he doubts his client is receiving any special treatment.

Tekashi69's got the unlikeliest of supporters in his corner as he fights a federal indictment ... his nemesis, Slim 400.

We talked to Slim and he tells us straight-up ... he doesn't want 6ix9ine to spend the rest of his life in prison or get any prison sentence, PERIOD. That's a rather surprising response to Tekashi's legal troubles given their volcanic history.

TMZ broke the story ... Tekashi and Slim were in an intense showdown earlier this month when Tekashi showed up to ComplexCon. Slim blocked Tekashi's entrance and all hell broke loose.

Tekashi69 appears to have ordered his goons to shoot up Chief Keef's cousin, days before Keef narrowly escaped gunfire in New York City.

In shocking new footage, obtained by TMZ, you see Tekashi on FaceTime with Chief's cousin, Tadoe, asking him if he's going to be at Keef's NYC hotel. When the convo ends, 6ix9ine brags to his crew about placing a $30,000 bounty on Tadoe.

It's interesting ... the video was recorded in late May, just days before someone shot at and missed Chief Keef at the W Hotel in Times Square. Remember, 6ix9ine and Keef were beefing all spring over social media leading up to the shooting.

We got Tekashi in Bev Hills hours after bullets flew in Keef's direction, and 6ix9ine denied any involvement. But, Tekashi's very public denial didn't stop cops from looking into his role in the failed hit.

Tekashi is now sitting with neutral inmates at a federal facility after getting busted on racketeering, among other charges. Prosecutors say 6ix9ine and his crew conspired to commit a slew of crimes, including shootings.

Michael Avenatti will not face a felony in his domestic violence case ... according to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office.

The D.A. has referred the matter to the L.A. City Attorney's Office. The City Attorney will now have to decide whether to charge Avenatti with misdemeanor domestic violence.

TMZ broke the story ... Stormy Daniels' lawyer was arrested last week for felony domestic violence after his girlfriend, Mareli Miniutti, filed a police report, alleging Avenatti had gotten physically violent with her during an argument in their high-rise apartment in the Century City neighborhood of L.A.

Mareli also got a restraining order against Avenatti.

As soon as he got out of jail, Avenatti denied striking her -- and now says, "I am thankful that the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has rejected filing any charges against me after a fair, careful and thorough investigation. I have maintained my innocence since the moment of my arrest."

The man who went viral thanks to a mugshot that showed off his massive neck just a week ago has been arrested again ... and the dude is still flexing what made him famous.

Charles Dion McDowell was busted Wednesday in Lee County, Alabama for allegedly eluding law enforcement, reckless driving, driving with a revoked license, improper lane usage and a 2nd-degree possession of marijuana charge.

McDowell's first mugshot -- from an arrest in Florida last week -- blew up on social media after it was posted to Facebook. During that arrest, he was booked for eluding, possession of cocaine, meth and marijuana.

The pic spurred an influx of memes, puns and social media shares.

"Wizards of Waverly Place" star David Henrie used some legal magic to dodge jail time in his airport gun case -- and by magic we mean ... he took a plea deal.

The actor pled no contest Wednesday to possessing a weapon at the airport ... according to the court clerk. We're told Henrie was sentenced to 2 years probation and 20 days of community labor, but he won't spend any time behind bars.

David also has to take a gun safety course and drop some cash for fines and fees.

We broke the story ... Henrie was originally charged with 3 crimes after being busted at LAX with a loaded gun in September. As part of the deal, he got 2 charges dropped -- carrying a loaded firearm and carrying a concealed firearm.