Crime & Arrests

JWoww's dealing with more drama from her ex, but this time it's not Roger Mathews.

The "Jersey Shore" star's ex-BF, Thomas Lippolis, was arrested Wednesday and charged with extortion after cops say he called JWoww's publicist and threatened to leak tons of secrets about JWoww if he didn't get $25k from her.

Cops say JWoww's publicist told the reality star about the alleged extortion attempt and she called cops Monday. JWoww and Thomas dated for a year about a decade ago.

It's been a rough year for JWoww. She's in the middle of another legal mess with her estranged husband, Roger. She claims his harassing her is the reason why she's got a restraining order on him. Remember, the harassing is what got him booted from her crib.

TMZ broke the story ... JWoww told cops Roger began to record her without her permission, and that's why she called cops back to their home to get him removed.

Orlando Brown's downward spiral has one of his friends seriously worried the end is near ... and he's calling on one man to save the troubled ex-Disney star.

Brown's set to appear on "Dr. Phil" Friday, in an intervention-type setting orchestrated by Brown's friend who claims he's suffering from a mental disorder and has burned so many bridges ... he's run out of resources for help.

The clip's pretty shocking -- both because of what the friend says about the "That's So Raven" star ... and the look in Orlando's eye(s) when he sits face-to-face with Dr. Phil.

We broke the story ... several of Brown's friends staged an intervention for him in October to encourage him to enter a rehab facility. It worked -- but only temporarily -- and it's clear people are still very concerned about him.

As we reported ... Orlando's been in and out of handcuffs several times in 2018, including after he was busted breaking into a restaurant in September.

And, of course, there was the crazy bounty hunters bust back in April ... when he was arrested in his undies.

For the full interview, check out "Dr. Phil" Friday.

2:10 PM PT -- The Redskins announced they placed Montae on the Reserve/NFI list.

10:48 AM PT -- Redskins coach Jay Gruden says Nicholson will NOT play this weekend in their critical game against the Tennessee Titans.

Gruden says he's aware of the TMZ Sports video and says he'll take a look at it.

When asked if Nicholson would be benched for the rest of the season, Gruden said he hasn't made up his mind yet.

He still has to speak with Montae personally.

TMZ Sports has obtained footage of Washington Redskins safety Montae Nicholson pummeling a man in the middle of a Virginia street around 2 AM Tuesday morning ... and it's violent.

Nicholson -- wearing a red hoodie -- is going after another man in a jean jacket while other people in the melee desperately try to restrain him.

But, Nicholson is too strong and too angry -- and refused to back out ... instead, he throws several punches at his target ... including a knockout blow.

You can see in the video, the man in the jean jacket appears to go limp as Nicholson hits him clean in the face.

One witness tells us the other man in the red sweatshirt was trying to break up the fight -- but Montae was in such a rage, he slammed that guy to the ground and continued the beating.

Loudoun County Sheriffs eventually responded to the scene and arrested both Montae and a female companion. Montae was booked for assault and battery, and drunk in public. He was hauled to a nearby jail and released on a $2,500 bond a short time later.

23-year-old Montae -- 6'2", 215 lbs -- is a solid player for the Redskins who's played in every game this season.

There are reports the fight began after a road rage incident where the victims pulled up in a vehicle and honked at Montae.

But, a witness tells us ... the beef started BEFORE the car incident.

Both victims were taken to a nearby hospital where they were treated for serious injuries.

We've reached out to Montae's camp for comment. So far, no word back.

A rep for the Redskins tells us they are aware of the arrest and still gathering information.

Rapper Juelz Santana has just been sentenced to 27 months behind bars in his airport drug case.

A judge handed down the sentence Wednesday morning in Newark, NJ. He'll also be under supervised release for 12 months after he's completed his time. No date was set on when the rapper will have to surrender.

TMZ broke the story ... Juelz was busted back in March after trying to take a loaded .38-caliber handgun and eight oxycodone pills in his travel bag at Newark International Airport. After TSA security found the gun, Juelz booked it but he later turned himself in.

The rapper -- a convicted felon -- ultimately pled guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

On a recent episode of 'Love & Hip Hop,' Santana revealed he believed he'd get 27 to 37 months for the crime ... turns out, he was spot on.

"Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" star Tresure Price thinks the cop who arrested her for DUI had a personal vendetta ... or really hates reality TV and took it out on her.

Tresure tells TMZ ... she believes the cop who pulled her over last week in Atlanta, recognized her from the show and gave her an extra hard time because of it -- she alleges the officer even got "a little rough" with her.

Price claims she passed the officer's field sobriety test, but was still cuffed and thrown in the back of a squad car ... without being buckled up.

We broke the story ... as Tresure was being hauled to the station, the cop had to slam on her brakes and the 'L&HH' star was propelled forward. She tells us her face smashed into the cage as a result, leaving her with whiplash, bruises and a nasty knot on her forehead.

Price insists she wasn't intoxicated, and suggests the cop escalated her traffic violation into something greater ... simply because she's a TV personality.

For the record, cops say Tresure bombed the field sobriety tests and refused a Breathalyzer ... and there's no mention of an officer getting physical with her.

Regardless, she's lawyered up.

Atlanta PD tells TMZ ... Tresure has not filed a complaint regarding her arrest, and they would advise her to do so if she feels one of their officers acted inappropriately.

Kris Roe was involved in a scary car accident Monday night in Hollywood ... and The Ataris lead singer tells us he's surprised he lived to tell his story.

Kris tells TMZ ... he was driving his tour van through Hollywood late Monday night when a police pursuit ended with an out-of-control car smashing into his vehicle, injuring him and sending his bulldog, Gracie, flying.

As you can see in the photos ... Kris' ride was totaled after a Dodge Charger barreled head-on into his Ford van.

Kris says he was covered in fluids after the wreck, and he initially thought his dog was dead. Fortunately, Kris and Gracie are on the mend, although they're admittedly both shaken up from the crash.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the suspected reckless driver was arrested and booked for evading police.

Kris tells us he's exploring his legal options, and would ultimately like to see justice served.

Josh Henderson is an innocent man who was falsely arrested for a burglary he didn't commit, and that's why the L.A. County D.A. has formally rejected the case.

TMZ has obtained surveillance video of 3 burglars who entered an apartment unit in Josh's building earlier this month and made off with $7,000 in jewelry and other items. It is impossible to identify the faces of any of the 3 men, but the victim and a witness in the building told police they were "100% positive" it was Josh based on his jawline and the way he moved.

Turns out ... the "Desperate Housewives" star had an airtight alibi. He came home late afternoon and never left his apartment for the entire evening. We know that because there's surveillance video of his front door and that's the only way to enter and exit his unit.

The victim called police several times later that night and said he was scared to death Josh would come into his apartment and hurt him. The neighbor had 4 guns and told cops the burglars didn't take any of them and believed that was further evidence Josh was the culprit because he was afraid of guns.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, because the victim was afraid, they took the highly unusual step of going to the apartment building at around midnight and arresting Josh for burglary. They had not looked at the other video that showed he had an alibi.

Law enforcement sources say Josh's reaction was telling. He said, "How could I have committed a burglary?" rather than saying, "I didn't do it."

In the end ... the video clearly shows one thing -- the person who the victim identified as Josh was much younger than the actor.

1:39 PM PT -- Nicholson posted bail $2,500 ... and is no longer in jail.

Redskins' safety Montae Nicholson was arrested and charged with assault and battery after officials say he was involved in a drunken street brawl, sending 2 people to the hospital.

Nicholson -- a 4th round draft pick in 2017 out of Michigan State -- was arrested with a female companion after allegedly fighting another man and woman in the street outside Washington D.C.

So, couples fight.

Cops from Loudoun County Sheriff's Dept. responded to a call for a fight involving multiple people ... and after investigating, determined Nicholson and his female friend were at fault -- and they were arrested.

Officers do NOT believe Nicholson hit the female victim.

As for the alleged victims ... cops say their injuries are, "serious but non-life-threatening."

Nicholson -- who's played in all 14 of the Skins games this season and has racked up 41 tackles -- is still behind bars in county jail.

JWoww told police her estranged husband, Roger Mathews, was harassing her by filming her without consent, which is why he got kicked out of their home ... sources close to the couple tell TMZ.

As we reported ... cops hauled Mathews out of the family home early Friday morning per a restraining order JWoww got in the dead of night. Roger claimed the 2 had a disagreement earlier in the evening, but he did nothing wrong and was blindsided by police when they demanded he leave.

We're told the 'Jersey Shore' star waited until later in the night when Roger went to bed to contact authorities to claim he was harassing her ... which was enough to get him booted.

Surveillance video from inside their home during the incident shows JWoww telling cops Roger's "not a bad dad" and presumably wants the restraining order to only cover her. But, apparently cops said the temporary order bars Roger from contacting the entire fam, and if she wants it limited she'll have to take it up later in court.

Snooki hinted at harassment allegations when she claimed Roger was taunting JWoww by recording her with his phone to get a rise out of her. Mathews admitted recording JWoww on his phone, but only because his attorney advised him to do so.

We're told Roger is hoping more surveillance footage from the incident at their home gets released because he has nothing to hide and believes it will vindicate him.

Our sources also say the 2 have been doing couple's counseling for the past 3 months and Mathews was hoping to work things out, but JWoww told him recently she had no intention of reconciling ... and was only trying to keep things civil for the kids over the holidays.

We're told Roger's in the same boat now -- it's all about the kids ... not saving the marriage.

12/16 -- Disney has fired Stoney Westmoreland after he was arrested for trying to entice a minor into sex. In a statement, Disney says ... "Given the nature of the charges and our responsibility for the welfare of employed minors, we have released him from his recurring role and he will not be returning to work on the series which wraps production on its third season next week."

Westmoreland starred in a recurring role as Henry "Ham" Mack on the Disney Channel series "Andi Mack," playing the lead star's grandfather. Season 3 is set to premiere in 2019.

Stoney Westmoreland, a 48-year-old Disney Channel actor, has been arrested in Utah for allegedly arranging online to have sex with someone he believed was 13.

According to online records, Westmoreland -- who played the grandfather on "Andi Mack" -- was arrested Friday for allegedly enticing a minor by internet or text, and dealing in materials harmful to a minor. Both are felonies.

A local report by KSL cites court docs stating the actor began communicating with an online user he believed was just 13, on an app used for dating and setting up sexual encounters.

Westmoreland reportedly asked the person to engage in acts with him and to send him nude photos. The report cites an affidavit claiming Westmoreland sent the person pornographic images.

The Salt Lake City Police Department and FBI Child Exploitation Task Force reportedly arrested Westmoreland Friday when he used a ride-sharing service to pick up the person he believed was 13.

Westmoreland has also appeared in episodes of popular TV shows like "Scandal," "Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul" and "NCIS."

"Andi Mack" is filmed at Wasatch Junior High in Salt Lake City.

Ex-USC wide receiver Joseph Lewis has been released from jail after serving nearly 6 months of his sentence in his domestic violence case ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, 19-year-old Lewis was arrested back in July after his GF told police he had punched, scratched and strangled her during an argument.

Lewis pled no contest to 1 felony domestic violence charge -- and also admitted guilt in a previous domestic violence incident.

He was sentenced to a year in county jail -- but got out after roughly 6 months due to overcrowding and good behavior.

Now that Lewis is out, he's still not allowed to contact the victim who obtained a 10-year restraining order against him.

Lewis had just 4 catches as a freshman for the Trojans back in 2017 but was expected to be a big contributor this season before he was booted from the team.

This is Rachael Denhollander -- the very first woman to come forward with sexual abuse allegations against Larry Nassar.

She's a hero. A survivor. And, she was brutally honest when we asked her how she was holding up in the wake of all that's transpired since she went public with her story.

"It's been really hard. The last two years have been very painful," Denhollander told us.

"My husband has been an incredible support system, my family has been an incredible support system and I'm grateful for that. Not everyone can say that."

We asked Rachael if she thinks she'll ever really completely recover from the abuse -- and again, she didn't mince words.

"I think that something we really need to understand is that the scars still remain. Sexual assault changes the course of a person's life. While there is a great deal of hope after abuse, it's absolutely devastating."

Of course, Simone Biles also is speaking publicly about how she's still dealing with the trauma -- telling 'GMA' this week, "I still go to therapy and I'm on anxiety medication now."

The bottom line -- Denhollander, Biles and other survivors want officials in gymnastics and other sports to be proactive in protecting young athletes from predators like Nassar.

"The real test is what happens when the allegation is in your own community. When it happens against your favorite sports player, your favorite sports team, your favorite coach."

Nicki Minaj's new beau is the ultimate bad boy -- and has been for quite some time, including while he was behind bars.

Kenneth Petty's inmate disciplinary history, obtained by TMZ, shows Nicki's BF was written up 18 times from 2006 to 2013 while he was serving time for a manslaughter conviction in New York.

Some of Petty's violations were major -- he got slapped with 2 violent conduct violations in 2010 for threats and fighting. Before that, he also racked up another fighting violation, and 5 violations for disobeying a direct order.

He got off to a ROUGH start too ... just one day after he entered the prison he got tagged for creating a disturbance.

There was also a 2009 incident where he was cited for 9 separate violations, and got 4 months in solitary as punishment. Mostly though ... he lost phone, recreation and commissary privileges for bad behavior.

As you know, Minaj's BF was convicted of first-degree attempted rape in 1995 when he was 16. He served almost 4 years for that ... before the 2006 manslaughter conviction.

Still, the man did his time ... and our Nicki sources say she believes Kenny -- an old flame from Queens -- has changed, and she's happier than she's been in years.

T.I.'s run-in with a security guard at his gated community is now water under the bridge -- at least in court -- because he paid a small fine and put the case to bed ... TMZ has learned.

The rapper's attorney, Steve Sadow, tells us ... Tip pled no contest to disorderly conduct -- for cursing at the guard -- and was ordered to pay a $300 fine. All other charges were dropped.

We're told T.I. appeared in person Thursday in the Henry County, GA courtroom.

As we reported, T.I. was arrested for assault, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct in May after he allegedly confronted the security guard for not letting him enter the gated community. The rapper claimed the guard was asleep on the job and cussed out his wife, Tiny, when he called her to verify T.I. lived there.

Ex-'Love & Hip Hop' star Benzino is not mincing words ... he's adamant racists are behind the serious drug charges he's facing but vows to fight back.

Benzino wanted to address the story we broke ... that cops busted him in Cobb County, GA -- in January 2017 -- and hit him with a slew of charges: felony possession of THC oil gummies, felony possession of 6 MDMA pills and misdemeanor possession of less than an ounce of weed.

He's facing up to 15 years in prison, but Benzino calls the charges trumped up from "one of the most racists counties, not just in Georgia, but in America." He still believes cops had no right to raid his penthouse, even though a judge ruled cops legally obtained a search warrant.

The woman who plays a post-apocalyptic juvenile on the CW series "The 100" will NOT be prosecuted for domestic violence ... because prosecutors realized there was no domestic violence.

Marie Avgeropoulos' lawyer, Shawn Holley, appeared in an L.A. courtroom Tuesday, along with the prosecutor, for the formality of dismissing the case. Bottom line ... the case was dismissed because there was never any intent on Marie's part to flip out and attack her BF. She had an adverse reaction to medication that triggered the outburst and there wasn't an intentional act of violence.

TMZ broke the story ... Marie -- who stars as Octavia Blake on the CW sci-fi show -- was arrested back in August after her BF called cops from inside a car claiming she struck him during a verbal argument. The BF called police hoping they'd just defuse the sitch but instead ended up arresting Marie.

All water under the bridge now.