Crime & Arrests

Justin Gimelstob -- an ex-tennis star and current broadcaster -- pled not guilty to felony aggravated battery after he was accused of beating the hell out of a man during a trick-or-treating run on Halloween.

Gimelstob -- a former doubles champ who coaches tennis stud John Isner -- was arrested on the suspicion of roughing up a guy named Randall Kaplan while the man was trick-or-treating with his family in L.A. on Oct. 31.

In a restraining order Kaplan filed in November, he claims the tennis coach hit him from behind, pinned him down, punched him "more than 50 times" in the face and head and threatened to "f**king kill" him.

Justin showed up in court Wednesday in L.A. to face the battery with serious bodily injury charge -- a felony -- and pled not guilty.

If convicted, Gimelstob faces up to 4 years in prison AND a fine of up to $10,000.

While dealing with his case, Justin has reportedly taken a leave of absence from his role as an analyst at the Tennis Channel.

Ex-'Love & Hip Hop' star Benzino is in the battle of his life right now, but nobody knew it.

We've learned Benzino was arrested back in January 2017 and charged with felony possession of THC oil gummies (22 grams), felony possession of 6 MDMA pills and misdemeanor possession of less than an ounce of weed.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, cops executed a search warrant at the producer's ATL apartment and found the drugs in drawers and on the kitchen counters. He was arrested and posted $12k bail. Benzino's legal team argued the search was illegal, but a judge ruled cops searched the pad legally.

Fast forward to now ... we're told Benzino's legal team will learn Wednesday in court when the case is headed to trial ... which could be as soon as next month, if he doesn't cop a plea.

If convicted, Benzino could face up to 15 years behind bars.

Donald Trump's biggest foes on Capitol Hill want him out of office, but at least one is not willing to give him immunity from criminal prosecution as a quid pro quo.

Congressman Adriano Espaillat has already advocated for Articles of Impeachment against 45, but there's a line in the sand he will not cross. We asked him on "TMZ Live" Tuesday if he'd be okay if the Manhattan U.S. Attorney gave Trump and members of his family a promise they will not be prosecuted, in return for the President leaving the White House. Espaillat recoiled at the prospect.

Nicki Minaj has a long history with her new boyfriend, because she first fell for him when she was a teenager -- and she feels he's changed since his checkered past.

Sources close to Nicki tell TMZ ... her first relationship with Kenneth Petty happened when she was a 16-year-old living in Queens, and she calls him one of her first loves. As they say, what's old is new again ... she's been showing him off in pics from a romantic getaway for her 36th birthday.

We're told Nicki understands Kenneth has a troubled past -- he's a registered sex offender convicted of attempted rape -- but she's confident he's matured since his time in NY state prison in the late 1990s. Nicki believes in second chances and has faith he'll be good to her.

As we reported ... Petty was convicted of first-degree attempted rape in April 1995, when he and his victim were both 16. Sources close to Nicki say the full context of the crime is Kenneth was dating the victim -- and her mother filed the charges because she didn't approve of him.

Our sources say Nicki and Kenneth still have great chemistry, despite all the years between their relationships. We're told she was very stressed out before they got back together, but she's much happier since rekindling their romance.

2:30 PM PST -- Nicki just admitted to the allegations, writing, "He was 15, she was 16 ... in a relationship. But go awf, internet. y'all can't run my life. Y'all can't even run y'all own life. Thank you boo."

Nicki Minaj's new boo is a registered sex offender with a disturbing rap sheet that includes convictions for manslaughter and attempted rape ... TMZ has learned.

Kenneth Petty is the 40-year-old she's been hanging with, and posting pics with on Instagram. Court records, obtained by TMZ, show he was convicted of first-degree attempted rape in April 1995. He was 16 at the time, and so was his victim.

Prosecutors said he used a sharp object when he tried to force the girl to have sexual intercourse. Petty served almost 4 years in NY state prison for the crime.

And, get this ... years after getting out of the pen, Petty was convicted of first-degree manslaughter, and served another 7 years for shooting a man. He was released in 2013.

She acknowledged their hometown connection by quoting Adele's "Hello" in the caption of their latest pic -- "Did you ever make it out of that town where nothing ever happens? ... it's no secret ... that the both of us ... are running out of time."

Tekashi69 is unfazed by the feds' collection of photos and videos, allegedly tying him to multiple crimes, and insists he's in no mood to play "Let's Make a Deal" ... TMZ has learned.

We broke the story ... prosecutors submitted a stack of images to the judge, just to make the point that Tekashi needs to remain behind bars until his trial begins ... in September. The evidence seems pretty damning, but 6ix9ine's attorney says they're not flinching.

Lance Lazzaro tells us, "A plea deal is simply off the table, even if the feds offer one." He says they're prepared to go trial and prove Tekashi's innocence.

As we reported, prosecutors have pics and videos linking Tekashi and his crew, including Kifano "Shotti" Jordan, to at least 3 armed robberies and/or shootings in Brooklyn earlier this year.

It's true, none of the images show the rapper pulling a trigger, or even holding a weapon -- but the feds are alleging he was the mastermind behind the crimes, even if he didn't do the dirty work.

Shaun Weiss -- best known for playing Goldberg on "The Mighty Ducks" and sadly, this mug shot -- is in trouble again ... just months after announcing he checked into rehab.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the actor was busted in November for allegedly shoplifting more than $200 worth of stuff from an L.A. Rite Aid. We're told he's now facing a petty theft charge and a probation violation.

We broke the story ... Weiss was arrested for public intoxication in August when cops took this rough-looking mug shot. The shocking image prompted friends to plead with him to get help.

Shaun announced he was doing just that days later, saying he'd checked into a long-term rehab center. He admitted that "without immediate treatment my life is in eminent danger." It's unclear when he left the treatment center.

The 'Ducks' star's downward spiral dates back to last year, when he was arrested for possession of meth and also for stealing.

While trying to contact Weiss, one of his friends told us they are "hoping for the best" for him.

'Rock of Love' star, Lacey Sculls, got an earful during a road rage incident, as in she allegedly chewed some guy's ear ... and now, as you might expect, he's suing the hell out of her.

Lacey, who tried and failed to lure Bret Michaels on his mid-2000s reality show, is being sued by Jorge Magana ... who claims Lacey and her hubby, Jonny, beat him to a pulp back in January.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, Jorge says he was sitting in his car when Jonny charged at him, pulled him outta the car and repeatedly punched and bit him. During the skirmish, he claims Lacey jumped on him, scratched his face and bit off a portion of his ear.

Cops investigated the incident ... leading to Lacey and Jonny's arrests on multiple felony charges, including battery with serious bodily injury and assault. Jorge's suit offers no explanation for the altercation.

Lacey and Jonny are countersuing, however, and tell a much different version. They say Jorge repeatedly brake-checked them, trying to trigger a collision. Once both parties stopped, they claim Jorge got out of the car and sucker punched Jonny as he sat in their car ... and then Jonny sped off.

Reuben Foster and his ex-girlfriend had the cops called on them for a loud argument about a month before he was arrested for allegedly attacking her ... and police have released the footage.

The domestic dispute between Foster and Elissa Ennis occurred October 12 in Santa Clara, CA at an apartment complex. The NFL linebacker answered the door when cops showed up and told them the 2 were arguing ... and eventually Ennis came out to talk to them, too.

At one point, Foster's placed in handcuffs while they attempt to talk to Ennis.

She eventually told an officer, "Everything is not okay," and that she found things that upset her on Foster's phone. She also said she was on depression medication but didn't take her pills that day. She didn't answer whether the 2 were hitting each other.

Ultimately, neither Foster or Ennis were cited or arrested for the incident.

As you know, though ... Foster was arrested for domestic violence in Tampa last month after allegedly pushing Ennis in the chest and slapping her. He was cut by the 49ers the next day, but claimed by the Redskins just days later.

Ennis appeared on "Good Morning America" Thursday to tell her story, and claimed the Niners tried to discredit her.

The man who broke into Taylor Swift's home and used her shower will soon be showering with a bunch of criminals, because he will be sentenced to 6 months behind bars.

The Manhattan D.A.'s office tells TMZ ... Roger Alvarado pled guilty Friday to one count of attempted burglary and one count of criminal contempt.

We're told Alvarado is due back in court December 20 for his official sentencing, which will also include 5 years probation. He will serve the probation in Florida and has been ordered to complete a mental health treatment program.

TMZ broke the story ... Alvarado was arrested in April inside an NYC home owned by Taylor, after climbing a ladder, smashing a window with his hand and climbing in to take a shower before falling asleep in a bed.

Meek Mill says there's a limit to how much he'll do when it comes to prison reform, because he's not trying to piss off people and get locked up again.

The rapper joined "The Breakfast Club" Thursday morning when the conversation turned to prison reform. Charlamagne Tha God tells Meek that when he talks about prison reform, that's essentially messing with "the white man's" money 'cause private prisons are thriving businesses.

That's when Meek straight-up says all he needs is a warning and he'll quit talking about it. To be fair ... Meek still wants to help, but he's making it clear NOTHING comes ahead of his family and, of course, freedom.

Meek's been on a mission to change the criminal justice system since his release from prison in April. He's so committed, he planned to visit President Trump for a White House meeting ... before canceling at Jay-Z's request.

Just when Tommie Lee thought she was about to be released from custody, she was hauled right back into the pokey ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Tommie was set to be released from Georgia's Cobb County Jail with an ankle monitor on Nov. 7, but the "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" star got rearrested the same day for violating probation in her DUI case.

The violation was the result of getting arrested TWICE within 24 hours for allegedly stalking her daughter and slamming the child into a school locker back in October.

If you're wondering why you haven't seen Tommie out on the scene ... we're told she's been cooling her heels in jail in Fulton County -- where she got the DUI -- for 28 days now.

We're told she'll get a 2nd shot at release later this month.

The woman who claims she was attacked by NFL star Reuben Foster says reps from the 49ers tried to undermine her credibility with police during the investigation ... telling cops she had lied about domestic violence in the past.

Elissa Ennis appeared on "Good Morning America" Thursday where she accused Foster of roughing her up on 3 separate occasions ... including the Nov. 24 incident at a team hotel in Tampa, Florida.

As we previously reported, Ennis called 911 and told the operator Foster had slapped her and roughed her up during a dispute. He's since been charged with 1 count of misdemeanor domestic violence. She revealed the injury photos during the interview with 'GMA.'

Ennis told 'GMA' they had been arguing because she threatened to tell his new girlfriend that he paid for her flight out to Florida to see him.

"Even when I called the police, the 49ers came up there," Ennis said ... "I have pictures of the 49ers coming up there trying to talk to the police telling them I'm the same ex-girlfriend that set up there and lied."

The 49ers have not commented on Ennis' claims.

She's referring to the previous domestic violence allegations she made against Foster back in February -- when she told officials Foster beat the daylights out of her in their California home ... but later recanted her story and told a judge she made the whole thing up.

Now, Ennis admits she lied in court to protect Foster -- saying, "I did what I had to do for the person I love. I thought that he would change, anybody in my position would do the same thing."

Foster was cut by the 49ers -- but later picked up by the Washington Redskins and Ennis claims she was "shocked" another NFL team would take a chance on such a bad guy.

Ennis says she's now getting help and realizes her relationship with Foster was destructive and "not love."

Lil Pump's out of the pokey after spending a day locked up in Denmark, and officials there are making it clear ... they don't want him coming 'round there no more.

Sources familiar with the situation tell us he was released from police custody Wednesday morning. We broke the story ... cops in Copenhagen busted his crew Tuesday for holding something illegal, and decided to detain them longer after Pump live streamed the incident and flipped the bird at an officer.

Turns out, the "illegal" thing was weed ... so Pump and his pals had to pay a fine between $700-800 before they got sprung.

We're told they've been asked to leave the country. They obliged and are now on their way to Oslo for Lil Pump's next show.

Tekashi69 just had his child sex case in New York closed by a judge, but it's not exactly as big a break as it appears.

We're told a judge revoked the 4-year probation, and gave 6ix9ine credit for time served. Tekashi no longer has to perform 1,000 hours of community service. The judge cited Tekashi's federal racketeering case as a reason for the decision.

Tekashi's lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, tells TMZ ...because 6ix9ine is incarcerated on the federal case, they can't enforce the terms of probation nor can they enforce community service.

As we reported ... Tekashi got 4 years probation in his child sex case, which was a HUGE break at the time and exactly what his legal team had requested. At the time, the deal was he would have to keep his nose clean and refrain from associating with any gang members and avoid all gang activity.

Thing is ... trouble seemed to follow Tekashi just about everywhere he went. You'll recall gunfire erupted during the rapper's celebration after his court hearing. His bodyguard got hit. Less than 2 weeks later, he nearly went to blows with Slim 400 during a trip to SoCal.

Shortly after that, gunmen opened fire at the Beverly Hills mansion Tekashi rented for the filming of his music video. But, the huge hammer dropped just days later -- Tekashi was busted in a federal racketeering case alleging Tekashi and his crew conspired to commit a slew of crimes ... including drug deals, armed robberies and shootings.

The Manhattan D.A.'s office had no comment.

Jason Whitlock says there's only one way for Kareem Hunt to make it back to the NFL ... and he's giving TMZ Sports the blueprint.

"If he goes out and makes an earnest attempt to get the proper help, and continues to stay humble and contrite, makes amends with the victim -- yeah, I think he gets another shot in the NFL."

Of course ... Kareem's got a long way to go to even start down that road -- the league is mulling a huge suspension for the former Chiefs RB after TMZ Sports posted footage of him attacking a woman in a Cleveland hotel.

But, once Hunt gets through that ban ... Whitlock says he's got no problem with an NFL team picking the 23-year-old up -- IF the RB gets help and shows contrition.

"I wouldn't object to that."

The host of FS1's "Speak for Yourself" also tells us why everyone needs to ease up on the NFL when it comes to policing domestic violence ... saying it shouldn't be the league's job.

"We're holding the NFL to a standard that I think is unfair. We keep beating up the NFL, 'They don't understand how to deal with domestic violence,' but the police don't either!"

Whitlock says it's time to start thinking of the NFL as what he says it actually is -- a television show.