Crime & Arrests

Lori Loughlin says you can follow her around all day ... her lips are sealed about her college bribery case.

The "Fuller House" star was leaving a yoga session in Brentwood Saturday when the paps hit her up with some questions about her alleged involvement in the scandal ... and if she's fearing prison time.

Lori was polite but firm -- she ain't talking. She did seem like she genuinely appreciated the camera guy wishing her well, though ... she even called him "honey."

As you know ... Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, were among the parents indicted for allegedly paying bribes to get their kids into prestigious schools like Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Georgetown, UCLA and USC. Felicity Huffman was also charged.

Loughlin's daughters, Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose, have both left USC in wake of the scandal and have reportedly been keeping a low profile at the family pad in Bel-Air.

Lori and Mossimo were recently spotted together in Orange County looking very pensive about the days ahead. They face the judge in a court hearing next week.

The prosecutor in the Jussie Smollett case threw shade at the Mayor of Chicago and the Police Superintendent as she bizarrely tried to explain her decision to cut the actor loose from the justice system.

Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx wrote an op-ed piece in the Chicago Tribune, in which she says the case against Smollett was not a slam dunk. Foxx is clearly pointing the finger at Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who came out strongly in a news conference after Smollett was charged, saying the evidence was clear -- Smollett paid the Osundairo brothers to stage an "attack."

Foxx says, "For a variety of reasons, including public statements made about the evidence in this case, my office believed the likelihood of securing a conviction was not certain." She doesn't explain how those public statements would affect the case.

Foxx goes on to diminish the alleged crimes, saying Smollett was charged with a low-level felony, "The least serious category, which also covers things like falsely pulling a fire alarm in school and 'draft card mutilation.'" So, Foxx is comparing filing a false police report and falsely alleging a hate crime is like pulling a fire alarm.

She says, "These felonies are routinely resolved, particularly in cases involving suspects with no prior criminal record, long before a case ever nears a courtroom and often without either jail time or monetary penalties." What she's not telling you ... the way these cases are typically resolved is with a plea bargain ... and not outright dismissal. Remember, Jussie did no formal community service.

She then goes after Mayor Emanuel and Superintendent Johnson, saying, "Any law-enforcement leader or elected official not grandstanding or clouded by political expediency understands the purpose of sentencing guidelines." NOTE: Smollett was not sentenced. He was let go.

Kendall Jenner's alleged stalker has been arrested by ICE, and the agency made it clear ... if they didn't throw this guy out of the country there could have been a tragedy involving violence directed at Kendall.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ cops had been tracking 38-year-old John Ford for several weeks ... the guy who twice showed up at Kendall's home. Last October, he scaled a hill and ended up by her swimming pool and came back again shortly thereafter and ended up on her porch.

Turns out Ford is a Canadian citizen whose visitor visa expired, so he was in the U.S. illegally. ICE agents were on the hunt for Ford, and they got their man Monday in New Mexico at a hotel.

An ICE spokesman tells TMZ, "This timely arrest could very well have prevented a violent crime. Our special agents acted quickly on this tip to ensure that this obsessive behavior didn't escalate to become a tragedy."

Ford is now in ICE custody in El Paso, TX and is awaiting a deportation hearing.

The Kardashian-Jenner family says, "We are extremely appreciative of the hard work by the Los Angeles Police Dept. and ICE, whose swift response and professionalism led to this man's apprehension. His actions have not only had a severe impact on Kendall's life, but the entire family's sense of security, causing us to fear for Kendall's safety as well as our own. Knowing this individual is in custody gives us peace of mind."

Jussie Smollett may have just been checkmated by the City of Chicago, and it could cost him his "Empire" job.

The City is now demanding he pay $130k for the overtime required to investigate the now-infamous "attack." A City official sent Jussie a demand letter, but his people have already rejected the request, saying the only person owed anything is Jussie -- as in, an apology from the Mayor and Police Superintendent.

This has now set up a courtroom showdown, and sources connected to the Mayor tell TMZ ... they will absolutely file a civil case to get the money. Under the law, the City can actually collect 3 times the actual amount owed as a penalty -- meaning around $390,000.

If Jussie fights it in court, his "attack" case will be fully litigated. A judge will have to decide if the attack was fake before deciding whether Jussie is required to pay. What's more, the judge would only have to rule that it's more likely than not -- 51/49 percent -- that Jussie faked the attack. That's a much lower standard of proof than a criminal case, which requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt for a conviction.

Now here's the hard part for Jussie. If a judge rules the attack was fake, it gives the honchos at "Empire" all the ammo they need to say he's fired, despite the fact the State's Attorney has dismissed the criminal case.

And, to add insult to injury, if Jussie loses the case but refuses to pay the judgment, the City can execute on the judgment, and that would include garnishing wages and freezing bank accounts -- including his "Empire" salary.

Natalie Portman's alleged stalker is now facing new charges after his latest arrest outside her Los Angeles home -- and unlike his past incidents, this one could earn him a stay in county jail.

The L.A. City Attorney tells TMZ ... the man arrested outside of Portman's home has been charged with violating the protective order she had against him, and also for trespassing.

We broke the story ... the actress called cops Tuesday afternoon when she noticed him poking around outside her property. Police rolled up within minutes and arrested him.

The man -- who cops say claims he's the movie character from "John Wick" -- has been caught outside Natalie's home multiple times. We're told he tried to gain access to Portman's property back in January, cops showed up and he was placed on a psychiatric hold.

Tina Tchen, the woman who tried to grease the wheels for Jussie Smollett in Chicago, isn't saying much ... now that he's been cleared of all criminal charges.

We got Tchen in Washington, D.C. -- she's a power player there as Michelle Obama's former Chief of Staff -- but also in Chicago. We asked her, multiple times, what her thoughts are on Jussie's future now that he's no longer facing 16 felony counts.

Watch, she had an answer locked and loaded ... which she fired off. Repeatedly.

You'll recall, Tchen had reached out to Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx shortly after Jussie reported the alleged attack. In text messages, Tchen said she was speaking on behalf of the Smollett family ... which had "concerns about the investigation."

After Foxx's office let Smollett skate, critics speculated Tchen's involvement reeked of the kind of political cronyism for which Chicago's built an infamous reputation.

It's 2019 and a grown ass man was arrested Saturday night for weed.

That man is ex-NBA player Kwame Brown ... who was busted in Georgia with a bunch of marijuana ... including pot-infused cookies, tea and mints.

The 2001 first overall pick was a passenger in his Mercedes-Benz van when it was pulled over by Brunswick PD late Saturday night ... when cops say his car REEKED of weed.

Kwame copped to having weed in the car ... and told law enforcement he had some in the trunk of the van. Sure enough, cops found a backpack with all the weed treats.

The 37-year-old was arrested and charged with felony possession of edible marijuana products and misdemeanor possession of less than one ounce of weed.

Worth noting -- Brown is MASSIVE. Like, 7-ft tall big ... and couldn't fit in a regular cop car, so the cops had to wait for a bigger vehicle to transport him for booking.

Brown was released shortly after posting bond later Saturday.

Brown played for 7 different teams during his career ... most notably the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers ... after jumping straight from high school to the Association.

Jussie Smollett's alleged "attack" is not over, because the City of Chicago is demanding $130,000 from the actor or else, but the actor has told Chicago officials to go pound sand.

The Chicago Corporation Counsel -- who handles civil claims for the City -- fired off a letter to Jussie demanding he pay the $130k, which represents, among other things, overtime pay for cops who investigated the case.

The Corporation Counsel writes, "Over two dozen detectives and police officers participated in the investigation, ultimately spending weeks investigating your false claims."

The letter goes on to say they have the goods, saying, "The Chicago police investigation revealed that you knowingly filed a false police report and had in fact orchestrated your own attack."

And, then comes the threat ... the City is demanding "immediate payment of the $130,106.15" within 7 days. If Jussie doesn't ante up, the Corporation Counsel vows to "prosecute you for making a false statement under the Municipal Code of Chicago." This is separate from the criminal case that was just dismissed.

The penalty is no jail, but a fine of no less than $500 ... but here's the deal -- the city could go after Jussie for 3 times the actual damages, or more than $390,000. Although the penalties are only monetary, it could amount to a finding by a judge or jury that Jussie faked the attack.

Jussie's response was immediate and clear ... a spokesperson told TMZ, "It is the Mayor and the Police Chief who owe Jussie an apology for dragging an innocent man's character through the mud. Jussie has paid enough."

As you know ... prosecutors in stunning fashion dropped Jussie's case earlier this week -- much to Mayor Rahm Emanuel's chagrin. Jussie surrendered his $10k bond, but that's it.

Jimmy Kimmel's good friend and famous chef, Adam Perry Lang, has been TOTALLY CLEARED in the crazy case involving explosives, a rifle and a girlfriend.

TMZ broke the story, Lang was staying at Kimmel's beachside home last January, when cops got a 911 call saying a man was inside the home with explosives and had assaulted his girlfriend with a rifle.

Cops swarmed the Hermosa Beach, CA home but Adam was sound asleep with his ringer off. Cops stayed for hours and when they finally roused him, they ordered him out of the house with his hands up.

Adam was arrested and taken to the station, where Jimmy came to bail him out. Adam insisted he did not make the call and that his cell phone records would back that up. Cops checked his cell phone and did not find a 911 call, but nevertheless pursued the case.

WWE superstar Jimmy Uso just caught a HUGE break in his disorderly conduct case -- he's essentially off the hook after allegedly squaring up to fight a police officer.

As we previously reported, Uso and his WWE superstar wife, Naomi, were pulled over in downtown Detroit on Feb. 13 after cops say Naomi was driving the wrong way down a 1-way street.

Cops say Naomi reeked of booze so they ordered her out of the car -- but Jimmy was allegedly trying to restrain her and prevent her from leaving.

Eventually, Naomi got out ... and Jimmy followed -- with cops saying the wrestler eventually took off his shirt and jacket and squared up as if he was about to fight.

Jimmy was eventually arrested and booked for disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice.

But, we've learned Uso and his attorney, John Freeman, struck a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to plead no contest to interfering with a govt. employee -- and in exchange, he was ordered to pay $450 in fines.

That's it. Case closed.

It's a big deal considering Uso was facing jail time if convicted of disorderly conduct.

As for Naomi, she was neither arrested that night nor charged with a crime.

Jimmy Uso is a big deal in the pro wrestling world -- his father is WWE legend Rikishi and his cousins are The Rock and Roman Reigns.

Charles Barkley says there are no winners in the Jussie Smollett saga -- only losers -- and he feels TURRIBLE for the "real" victims of hate crimes whose stories will now be called into question.

"It's a really bad situation for everybody involved," Barkley told us in NYC ... "There's no winners. We're all losers."

Barkley has been ripping Smollett's tale about being attacked by homophobic racists for weeks -- even clowning the "Empire" actor as a liar on "Inside the NBA."

So, now that the 16 felony charges Smollett was facing for allegedly lying to police have been dropped -- we wondered if Barkley would back off Jussie.

Spoiler Alert: NO.

We asked Chuck if he thinks Jussie skated -- he replied, "That's an understatement."

Should Jussie have gone to jail?

"I don't think he shoulda went to jail, but it's unfortunate."

And, that's when Barkley told us about the "real victims" in the Smollett saga.

"Anybody who's gay who gets beat up, they're the real losers ... or black [people] who get beat up, they're the real losers."

As for Jussie, he maintains his innocence.

7:09 PM PT -- Jussie's attorney, Patricia Holmes, has just released a statement, condemning the local authorities who "have continued their campaign against Jussie Smollett after the charges against him have been dropped." She continues, "The case is closed. No public official has the right to violate Mr. Smollett's due process rights."

Holmes points out that Jussie is allowed the same rights as every citizen -- that he "is innocent until proven guilty in the court of law" and also has the right to speak freely about his innocence.

She states, "We respectfully request all government agencies involved live up to the ethical tenets of their office ... The case was dismissed. We should all allow Mr. Smollett to move on with his life as a free citizen."

The Cook County State's Attorney has circulated an email asking prosecutors in the office to come up with other examples where they just dropped felony charges the way they did in the Jussie Smollett case ... this, as Jussie was making a hasty retreat out of Chi-Town via O'Hare International Airport.

According to the memo, obtained by the CBS affiliate in Chicago, the brass wrote, "We are looking for examples of cases, felony preferable, where we, in exercising our discretion, have entered into verbal agreements with defense attorneys to dismiss charges against an offender if certain conditions were met, such as the payment of restitution, completion of community service, completion of class, etc."

Here's the problem. Jussie did not do community service. Community service is often part of a plea deal where a certain number of hours is required by defendants who are convicted or cop a plea. In Jussie's case, all he did was spend a few hours over the weekend at Rainbow PUSH. That is not community service.

As for restitution .. Jussie forfeited a $10k bond, and that's it. As the Mayor said, it doesn't come near to paying the cost of the investigation.

The email goes on to say, "Nobody is in trouble, we are just looking for further examples of how we, as prosecutors, use our discretion in a way that restores the victim, but causes minimal harm to the defendant in the long term."

The concept of "minimal harm" to the defendant is confusing. Typically what happens is that a defendant would plead no contest to a reduced charge or a reduced number of charges, and maybe get community service and/or pay restitution. That didn't happen in Jussie's case.

2:42 PM -- Foxx is on a media blitz, and she just told ABC7 in Chicago her office did NOT ask for the resolution in Smollett's case to be made under seal. She says Smollett's criminal record -- in relation to the police report -- is what should have been kept under seal. She says her office is in the process of unsealing the resolution.

Foxx also broached the subject about her recusal and added there was zero outside influence on the case. Michelle Obama's former chief of staff, Tina Tchen, clarified her contact with Foxx saying, "Shortly after Mr. Smollett reported he was attacked, as a family friend, I contacted [Foxx], who I also know from prior work together."

"My sole activity was to put the chief prosecutor in the case in touch with an alleged victim's family who had concerns about how the investigation was being characterized in public."

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx is going to bat for her office, which opted to let Jussie Smollett walk ... saying the public just doesn't understand this is how the law works.

Foxx went on WBEZ Radio in Chicago Wednesday and said she understands the confusion for those on the outside "who don't understand the intricacies of the justice system, who don't understand alternative prosecution or diversion or alternate outcomes outside of prison or lengthy probation."

On the flip side, Foxx -- who recused herself from the case -- says those who know the legal system know "the likelihood that someone would get a prison sentence for a Class 4 felony is slim."

As we reported ... First Assistant to the Cook County State's Attorney Joseph Magats said prosecutors dropped the case because Smollett doesn't have a violent criminal history and lying about the alleged attack was NOT a violent crime.

Foxx echoed Magats sentiment that although the charges were dropped ... everyone in their office backs the police investigation, and believes Jussie staged the attack. As she put it to WBEZ, you don't typically see people "give up $10,000 of their hard earned money" unless they're being held accountable for something.

NFL wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has pled guilty to careless driving resulting in injury stemming from a Feb. 16 car crash ... and he'll spend the next year on probation.

As we previously reported, the 31-year-old Pro Bowler was initially arrested for vehicular assault after losing control of his car around 12:20 AM ... and flipping his ride onto a grassy median.

Thomas and his 2 passengers were injured in the wreck -- with DT suffering an eye injury and a "hellacious knot" on his head, according to a witness.

Officials say Thomas was driving at speeds exceeding 70 MPH in a 30 MPH zone -- which not only qualifies as reckless driving, but also felony vehicular assault.

Thomas was initially facing 3 years in prison for felony vehicular assault -- but struck a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to plead guilty to the lesser misdemeanor charge of careless driving resulting in injury.

Court records show Thomas was sentenced to 1 year probation and 50 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay fines and restitution.

Thomas -- who is currently an NFL free agent -- previously issued a statement on the crash saying, "It saddens me that I caused pain to those whom I love most.”

Mama June says she isn't threatened at all by her boyfriend and needs him by her side because he takes care of her ... this according to new legal docs.

Mama says she is partially blind, and her BF Geno Doak helps her get through the days dealing with it. According to docs -- obtained by TMZ -- she claims he's also very loving toward her kids and they are in love and working on their relationship.

She wants the court to know she does not fear for her safety or worry about what Geno could do to her, so she's asking the court to lift the order saying he has to stay away from her ... and she'd like his domestic violence charge dismissed too.

We broke the story ... Mama June was arrested for allegedly having crack cocaine on her after a gas station domestic violence incident. Geno was also arrested and allegedly threatened to kill her, which is why the court ordered him to stay away. The couple ignored the order, though, by hitting up a casino together a few days later.

Sources close to June's family says Geno's a bad influence on her, but she claims in the docs that's not the case. As for the gas station incident ... June says the situation "got heated and out of hand, but never was I in fear for my safety or did I want the police involved."

She adds she's lived with Geno for 3 years and they're "working on our relationship to make us stronger as a couple."

Jussie Smollett hasn't regained the full support of his "Empire" family despite criminal charges against him being dropped ... and things are still very divided among cast and crew.

Production sources tell TMZ ... there are still people on the set -- especially writers -- who believe the dismissal of charges is a vindication, proving Jussie was a victim. Point of fact ... the State's Attorney believes Jussie staged the attack but felt it was a low-priority, non-violent crime that would have resulted in a punishment of community service, so why bother.

We're told there are a number of people on the "Empire" set who share the view that Jussie staged the attack and are shocked by the lack of consequences ... and don't want him back on the show. They are especially offended Jussie allegedly faked the attack to squeeze more money out of producers.

The contingent who are angry at Jussie believes he's a liability to the show and should be cut if the show comes back for season 6.

One thing has united the cast ... they are all thrilled the case is now closed because they believe it's a threat to the show's future.

Fact is ... the case isn't closed. The FBI is still investigating the letter that was sent 8 days before the "attack," to determine if Jussie sent the letter. If that conclusion is reached, he could face federal charges.