Crime & Arrests

Ted Cruz is earmarking the billions upon billions of dollars El Chapo's been ordered to fork over to the U.S. to secure the southern border, and he says President Trump's backing his plan.

Like the Prez, the Texas Senator's all about building the wall, and he tells TMZ the next step now that the Mexican drug lord has been sentenced to life in prison ... should be to use his $12.6 BILLION fortune to make it happen.

Cruz acknowledges El Chapo's drug money might be difficult to track down, but says there should be no debate over where the cash goes once it's seized.

Ted's been serious about this for a couple years now -- he introduced legislation known as the EL CHAPO Act in April 2017, but it died ... so he reintroduced it in January.

He believes it's still a perfectly fitting conclusion to the Mexican kingpin's case. Check out his reasoning ... to Cruz it's basically poetic justice.

Jenelle Evans' ex-husband has been busted again in North Carolina ... for violating his probation in a felony case.

Courtland Keith Rogers -- who was married to the former 'Teen Mom' star from 2012 to 2014 -- got arrested Wednesday in Leland and booked at the Brunswick County Jail for a felony probation violation. His bond is set at $10k.

It's unclear what Rogers did to violate his probation, but it seems it's connected to Rogers' arrest back in April 2018 on drug charges.

He was also arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman in August, 2018.

Jenelle doesn't have any kids with Rogers, and the couple was only married a couple months before they split in January 2013, only to reunite a few months later ... when both got arrested for heroin possession and domestic violence.

They officially divorced in June 2014.

As you know ... Jenelle's had her own share of legal troubles since then, and then some.

Kevin Spacey just won a huge victory, because the criminal case against him in Nantucket, Massachusetts has been dismissed.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the case was dropped "due to the unavailability of the complaining witness."

As we reported, the man, who was 18 at the time, claimed Spacey repeatedly groped him in a bar, took the 5th Amendment earlier this month while testifying about the incident. Defense lawyer Alan Jackson grilled him over his cellphone and whether he deleted texts that were exculpatory for Spacey. He then took the 5th.

The alleged victim had earlier dropped his civil case.

Sources tell us the dismissal was at the behest of prosecutors.

The alleged victim claimed that back in 2016, when he worked at the bar, Spacey plied him with alcohol and then repeatedly groped his genitals. He also claimed he texted his girlfriend while it was happening. Those texts were the subject of last week's cross examination ... Spacey's lawyer had information the alleged victim selectively deleted texts and, when pressed, he invoked the 5th.

The alleged victim's mother, former Boston TV anchor Heather Unruh, who came forward with the allegations against Spacey back in November 2017, told investigators she was the one who deleted texts related to her son's "frat boy activities."

R. Kelly was in court for his bond hearing, shackled at the ankles and wearing an orange jump suit ... and will remain behind bars for the time being.

Prosecutors argued against his release ... saying he's a danger to the community, especially to minor girls. They claim the risk of obstruction is real and ongoing, and also heightened by his fame and power. Prosecutors are also saying he has the "unique ability to influence and intimidate witnesses and victims, and that continues to this day."

They added an emphatic, "It's who the defendant is," after alleging that he's sexually assaulted the alleged victims hundreds of times.

Kelly ultimately pled not guilty and was denied bond.

The prosecution also argued there's no question R. Kelly is the person in the videos they've obtained -- which appears to be a reference to the alleged sex tapes at the center of the probe. They're claiming that electronic monitor and home confinement is not enough for Kelly ... going on to say he can "entice girls to his own doorstep."

Meanwhile, R. Kelly's lawyer, Steve Greenberg, fired back to defend his client, saying Kelly has already surrendered his passport, and noted the guy doesn't like to fly ... so he's not a flight risk. Greenberg also says that, to his knowledge, Kelly didn't miss any court dates in his 2008 trial. Speaking of that trial, Greenberg responded to allegations that the case was rigged, saying R. Kelly faced a jury of his peers, and not a bench trial.

R. Kelly's alleged sex slaves will be right behind the embattled singer Tuesday in federal court when he goes before a judge in his new sex crimes case, and they even plan to address the media.

Joycelyn Savage and Azriel Clary will present a united front during Kelly's bond hearing ... according to Gloria Schmidt, the attorney for the women.

After the hearing, we're told they, along with Schmidt, will hold a news conference to react to whatever happens inside the courtroom. As we've reported ... Kelly was arrested last week in Chicago on a new round of federal charges, including sex trafficking, obstruction of justice and racketeering.

Federal prosecutors in NY also want him there to face the 2nd federal indictment -- and they've made it clear to the court, they want Kelly held in custody through his trial.

Amid all the allegations they're Kelly's brainwashed sex slaves ... Joycelyn and Azriel continue to publicly support the singer -- just as they did back in February when they walked hand-in-hand into court. They sat in the first row, reserved for friends and family, during that bond hearing for his arrest on sexual abuse charges in Cook County.

Amber Portwood will lose more than her freedom if she's convicted of going after her boyfriend with a machete -- she will almost certainly lose her gig on "Teen Mom OG."

Production sources tell TMZ ... Amber's already on thin ice following her domestic violence arrest resulting in 3 felony charges -- domestic battery, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and domestic battery in the presence of a child.

The dealbreaker for the show ... if a jury believes Amber wielded a machete during a heated argument with bf Andrew Glennon. As we reported ... Amber struck a door with Glennon holding their infant son on the other side.

Our sources say a conviction for the use of a deadly weapon in a domestic violence incident should end her 10-year run on the 'Teen Mom' franchise. We're told the show is letting the legal process play out ... but a conviction will almost certainly be all she wrote.

As rabid 'Teen Mom' fans know ... the show has stood by Amber's side in the past when she weathered other legal storms. You'll recall she was busted for domestic violence in 2010 for hitting her ex, Gary Shirley ... an incident caught by MTV cameras.

MTV again stood by Amber when she was busted in 2011 for possession of a controlled substance. She ultimately served time behind bars and later admitted to abusing prescription drugs.

The difference in this case ... putting her son in danger. Aside from the obvious, it's way too much of a risk for a show to keep someone on the air with this kind of propensity for violence, because if she snaps again and the child gets hurt ... the show will have hell to pay.

Amber recently opened up about being bipolar and suffering from borderline personality disorder. She's also talked about postpartum depression. Obviously, all factors will be considered before a final decision is made. 

The time is quickly approaching for Soulja Boy to turn his swag on again ... he's getting out of jail way early.

According to jail records ... the rapper's set to be released today, after just a little more than 3 months locked up, despite being sentenced to 240 days for a probation violation. Do the math ... that's 146 days of early freedom.

The L.A. Sheriff's Dept. tells us Soulja is getting sprung early thanks to a combination of good behavior, time served and overcrowding.  

We broke the story ... SB was hit with a sentence of 240 days in jail and 265 days of community service for violating his probation in April.  

The judge said he failed to do his court-ordered community service and even conspired to falsify evidence saying he had completed it ... on top of feds finding ammunition at his home in February, another big no-no.

The good news -- while Soulja was locked up, his kidnapping case was rejected by prosecutors.

So, today is sort of a win-win ... crank that!!!

The parents of Joycelyn Savage, one of R. Kelly's alleged victims, are desperate to get in touch with her and take care of her ... and say they won't feel any sort of relief until they do.

Tim and Jonjelyn tell TMZ ... Kelly's latest arrest on federal sex crimes and racketeering hasn't made them feel vindicated yet, because they're focused on finding their daughter, and so far have been unsuccessful.

The parents say they were in Chicago recently and went with cops to Kelly's Trump Tower residence to do a welfare check on Joycelyn ... but she wasn't there anymore. They have no idea where she is, but hope to contact her soon through Kelly's people, possibly his spokesperson, Darrell Johnson.

Speaking of Johnson, the Savages were back in Atlanta Friday morn for his news conference on Kelly's arrest, and shortly before he spoke to us ... Tim interrupted Darrell and demanded to know where Joycelyn's at. It seems he's open to disclosing the info, but we'll see.

Tim and Jonjelyn say they're eager to set up a meeting with their daughter and get her the help she needs ... and they're ready to hop on another plane ASAP to make it happen.

As we reported ... federal prosecutors want to keep Kelly behind bars until his trial, because they say he's a flight risk and a danger to the community, and they fear he'll obstruct justice by intimidating potential witnesses.

YNW Melly is putting on a brave face as he awaits trial in his double murder case ... flashing a huge grin and looking generally happy during a court hearing. 

Check out this footage from Melly's court proceedings Thursday in a Broward County courthouse ... he's smiling like a kid on Christmas and yukking it up with his legal team, despite being heavily shackled in his jail jumpsuit.

Not much happened in the hearing ... some procedural paperwork to officially add a couple lawyers to his defense team, but the mundane process didn't seem to bore Melly. 

At least from the outside, it seems like the rapper's upcoming trial doesn't have him fretting much, which is interesting ... considering prosecutors have already said they will seek the death penalty. 

A$AP Rocky's canceling his European festival performance and several other upcoming tour dates ... because being locked up in a Swedish jail cell makes it hard to get onstage in Spain.

The rapper's management tells TMZ he'll be detained "for an unknown period of time for acting in self-defense during an altercation that took place," so, therefore ... he's been forced to cancel all his upcoming shows in July.

He was scheduled to perform at Sonar -- a music fest in Barcelona, Spain -- on Friday, July 19 ... but Sonar says it's now looking for a replacement.

A$AP's scheduled to headline Wednesday night at the Green Theatre in Moscow, but that's clearly not happening. His other upcoming shows getting axed due to him being locked up include the Splash! Fest in Germany on the 12, concerts in Ukraine and Belgium on the 13 and 14, a sold-out gig in Milan on the 17 ... and 2 others on the 20 and 21.

We broke the story ... the rapper's team says he's being held in inhumane conditions in his Swedish cell, and one official for the U.S. Embassy there commented, "Walking into that place was like walking into a toilet."

Rocky can be held for at least 2 weeks while prosecutors decide whether to charge him for aggravated assault stemming from a street brawl. That's despite video showing the alleged victim being the initial aggressor ... physically attacking Rocky and his crew prior to the incident.

Amber Portwood went after her boyfriend with a machete ... he wasn't the worse for wear, but their door sure was.

It was like a scene right out of "The Shining" ... Amber and Andrew Glennon got in a heated argument that escalated big time, and according to court documents, she wielded the machete and struck a door with Glennon on the other side.  

The machete didn't hit him but Amber allegedly found another way to inflict injury ... by striking him with a shoe while he was holding their one-year-old son, James.

Amber was arrested on 3 felony charges, including domestic battery and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, and a judge just slapped her with a restraining order. She can't go near Glennon or their son until the criminal case is resolved.

We broke the story ... Portwood was arrested last week in Indianapolis after Glennon contacted police claiming his and James' lives were in danger.

Glennon claims she also assaulted him with a shoe while he was holding James, and cops noticed marks on his neck when they arrived. He told officers this was not the first time she had struck him. Police contacted Children's Services. 

Glennon has filed for an emergency hearing to obtain sole custody of their son too.

A$AP Rocky is being held in a Swedish jail with shockingly inhumane conditions -- feces hurled about and not cleaned up, wretched food and facilities that are not fit for human beings ... this according to sources with direct knowledge of Rocky's situation.

Our sources tell TMZ ... the rapper is sleeping on a yoga mat with no blankets. There is a prisoner in the next cell with severe mental issues who slams his head against the concrete wall and hurls feces every which way ... feces that are not cleaned up.

The water, we're told, is not clean and the food is not edible ... for the first 5 days A$AP Rocky ate an apple a day, and that's it.

We're told the facility is filthy and "disease ridden."

As we reported, A$AP Rocky is being held for 2 weeks while prosecutors decide whether to charge him for aggravated assault stemming from a street brawl ... despite a video showing the alleged victim harassing and even physically attacking Rocky and his crew prior to the incident.

There is a treaty -- the Vienna Convention for Consular Relations -- which both Sweden and the United States signed. Under the treaty, when a foreigner like A$AP Rocky is detained, he has a right to immediately see an official from the U.S. Consulate. Our sources say Rocky asked for the meeting, but when an official from the American Consulate arrived at the detention center to meet him, he was squarely denied access -- a clear violation of the treaty.

Our sources say the U.S. official believes he was denied access because Swedish officials did not want him to see the conditions inside the facility.

Rocky's team persisted and eventually the consulate official was allowed to see him 2 days later, but only in the presence and earshot of 2 Swedish guards. Rocky and the official could not have a private conversation and they believe it was "a clear intimidation tactic."

Our sources say Rocky's team is trying to get the State Dept. involved to help get him out. So far, the Swedish courts have shut him down. By the way ... court proceedings in Sweden are closed to the public and the media.

A routine traffic stop turned into a violent war inside of a gas station ... with a massive NFL player fighting a cop AFTER being hit with a taser and TMZ Sports has the unbelievable video. 

A police officer in Lathrup Village, Michigan pulled over 23-year Malik McDowell -- a 6'6", 300 pound defensive tackle -- on a snowy February night after he witnessed McDowell's Jeep spinning out on the road after speeding. 

During the stop, which took place in front of a gas station, the officer ordered McDowell to stay seated in his car, but Malik disobeyed -- and repeatedly demanded to speak with a supervisor. 

As the officer continues to verbally engage with McDowell, who was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2nd round of the 2017 NFL Draft, he tries to leave his vehicle and walk into the gas station convenient store. 

The cop grabs McDowell and tells him to put his hands behind his back ... but again, McDowell disobeys and begins to fight back against the officer, knocking over shelves of food in the process.

The officer repeatedly warns McDowell to stand down or else he would be tased. Once McDowel's on the ground, the officer instructs him to get on his stomach, but the NFL player refuses ... so the cop deploys his taser. 

Kevin Spacey's sexual assault case took a stunning turn Monday ... when the alleged victim pled the 5th during questioning, prompting the judge to strike the accuser's previous testimony from the record.

The actor's lawyers asked the judge in Nantucket District Court to dismiss the case claiming the entire case is now completely compromised after the alleged victim exercised his Fifth Amendment right to not testify during intense questioning.

The judge said he would allow prosecutors time to figure out how they wanna proceed moving forward but reportedly added, "It may be pretty hard to get around this in trial. The matter may well be dismissed for the reason indicated. It's not going to happen today."

Spacey's team also wants the judge to dismiss the case after the alleged victim's mother, Heather Unruh, was supposed to be sequestered but reportedly watched her son's testimony on a TV monitor in the courthouse.

The pretrial hearing largely focused on the the whereabouts of the accuser's phone. Spacey's lawyers want it to examine the phone and the information it holds, but nobody knows where it is.

As we reported ... the accuser alleged Spacey was getting him drunk and grabbing his genitals. The alleged victim said he was texting his then-girlfriend during the alleged 2016 encounter at a Nantucket bar. The string of text messages were included in a recent court filing.

Spacey's team thinks the texts don't tell the whole story, particularly because most of the texts lack time stamps and it's possible the accuser may have deleted other texts that could change the context of the convo.

'Love & Hip Hop' star Teairra Mari could soon be facing a FELONY charge in her New York DWI case ... and it's all because of a previous DWI conviction on the other side of the country.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... prosecutors in NYC say they might upgrade her DWI charge from a misdemeanor to a felony, because way back in 2011 she was convicted of a DWI in Los Angeles. 

TMZ broke the story ... NYPD busted Mari for DWI on June 22, pulling her over after an officer saw her Dodge Charger come out of the Midtown Tunnel missing a front wheel. Cops say the bumper was dragging on the ground, and sparks were flying all around her car. 

Police say Mari reeked of booze, and she was booked for DWI and driving without a license. DMV records show her license is currently either revoked or suspended, most likely from her prior DWI conviction in L.A. 

Chloe Grace Moretz and her family aren't taking any chances on her obsessed fan who keeps hopping her fence and getting arrested for trespassing -- her fam just asked a judge for extra protection and got it for now ... TMZ has learned. 

Chloe's brother, Brandon Moretz, filed for a restraining order Wednesday in L.A. County against Justin Alexander Behr -- the man who has twice been busted outside the actress' home. 

TMZ broke the story ... Chloe's obsessed fan is now facing felony stalking charges after getting arrested outside her house Monday for the second time in two days. 

According to the restraining order, Chloe's brother says the alleged stalker climbed over their private gate Sunday night and started banging on the doors and windows trying to gain access to her residence.