Crime & Arrests

Colin Kaepernick is going to bat for Meek Mill -- saying the rapper is a victim of the same "radicalized injustice" that has been screwing black men for years.

FYI, Meek was sentenced to 2 to 4 years in prison after a judge ruled he violated probation stemming from a 2008 drugs and weapons case by getting busted for a St. Louis airport fight ... and his reckless driving arrest in NYC.

Even though both cases were dropped, the judge said the arrests alone were violations. People are furious about this ... including Kaepernick.

"Sadly there are Black folks going through the same radicalized injustice(s) within the justice system that Meek Mill has experienced for over a decade EVERY SINGLE DAY," Kaep tweeted.

"This requires more than just gradual reform in laws -- It requires a swift overhaul."

Here it is ... Josh Beckett's mug shot -- taken moments after the ex-World Series MVP was arrested for drunkenly diving onto a country music band.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the former pitcher was arrested in Texas on Oct. 26 for public intoxication after cops say he was boozed out of his mind and tackled the singer of a country music band while he was performing at an open mic night.

The lead singer says he suffered injuries -- and cops tell us they have opened an assault investigation into Beckett.

Beckett's attorney told us the whole thing was simply "horseplay" -- he meant no harm and he's vowed to make things right with the singer.

FYI, Beckett reportedly made more than $124 MILLION during his MLB career. We're sure he can find a way to make things right.

The LiAngelo Ball shoplifting arrest was NOT captured by the family's reality TV crew -- and now producers are debating whether to even cover the arrest on the show at all, TMZ Sports has learned.

"Ball in the Family" producers initially sent cameras to China to document the family as they support LiAngelo during his first game with the UCLA basketball team. LaVar and LaMelo were also on the trip. It was supposed to be the usual zany Ball family drama.

But we're told LiAngelo's trip to the Louis Vuitton store was NOT on the production schedule -- and there was no crew in tow when he (and two teammates) allegedly jacked expensive sunglasses.

We're told the subsequent police raid on the team hotel -- which resulted in LiAngelo's arrest -- was also NOT captured by the reality show cameras.

Instead, the TV crew followed LaVar and the rest of the family on several China outings -- from sightseeing to shoe promotions.

Here's the problem ... LaVar has already reportedly gotten LiAngelo in deeper trouble by publicly downplaying the incident. He was reportedly told to shut his mouth and keep a low profile on the matter until the legal issue is resolved.

So, to shoot ... or not to shoot? That is the question for the reality show.

Obviously, producers know covering LiAngelo while he's being investigated would be reality gold -- but it could also send the wrong message to Chinese officials that he's not taking the matter seriously.

One "Ball in the Family" source says show honchos are still trying to come up with a plan -- "It's too early to say how, or if, the incident will be covered in the show."

If LiAngelo is convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison -- or as little as 20 days under house arrest in the team's luxury hotel.

William H. Macy's paternal concerns aren't limited to his real life kids -- he also cares deeply about Ethan Cutkosky, his TV spawn who just got busted for DUI.

We asked the "Shameless" dad about Ethan's arrest, and he immediately went to bat for the 18-year-old ... telling us he's a good kid. He also had sympathy for child actors who have to grow up in Hollywood.

He was rushing into LAX when we talked to him, but William said he plans to take some time to call Ethan, and possibly offer some fatherly advice. In other words ... the exact opposite of how Bill's Frank Gallagher character would react on the hit Showtime series.

Thank God.

Terry Crews just walked into an LAPD station and filed a report alleging sexual assault ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Crews went to cops nearly a month after posting on Twitter that a high-level Hollywood executive "came over 2 me and groped my privates" at a Hollywood function.

Crews came forward with the allegations following mounting accusations against former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Because the alleged incident, involving a still-unnamed suspect, occurred last year and within the statute of limitations in Cali, it's possible Crews coming forward could trigger a criminal investigation.

We spoke to Terry's wife days after the accusation, and she said there's a reason why rich, powerful men get away with it.

The U.S. State Dept. tells TMZ Sports they are aware of the LiAngelo Ball, UCLA shoplifting arrests in China ... and are ready to step in if called upon.

‎"We are aware of reports of three U.S. citizens arrested and subsequently released on bail in China," a State Dept. official tells us.

"We stand ready to provide appropriate consular assistance for U.S. citizens. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment.‎"

As we previously reported, LiAngelo -- along with UCLA basketball teammates Jalen Hill and Cody Reily -- were arrested for allegedly jacking merchandise from a Louis Vuitton store near the team hotel.

LiAngelo Ball -- and his 2 UCLA basketball teammates -- have been released from jail in China after being arrested for shoplifting ... but they're NOT allowed to leave the team hotel.

Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill were released on bail early Wednesday morning, according to ESPN's Arash Markazi, who is covering the team in China.

The 3 college hoops players are accused of stealing from a Louis Vuitton store next to the team hotel in Hangzhou just days before UCLA is scheduled to play Georgia Tech in Shanghai on Friday.

Per the terms of their bail, all 3 players have been ordered to stay at the team hotel in Hangzhou until the case has been adjudicated -- which could take days, weeks or months, according to Markazi.

As for LiAngelo's father, LaVar Ball told Markazi he's not worried -- "He'll be fine. Everybody's making it a big deal. It ain't a big deal."

"All My Children" star Shane McDermott was on the run from cops -- literally -- but they were gonna let him go, until he demanded they arrest him. Brilliant!

Cops in Galveston, TX tell us ... Shane was drinking early Sunday morning at a bar and got into a verbal altercation, bolted outside and started running down the middle of the street around 2 AM. Cops spotted him and asked where he was headed.

Shane said home, only to be informed he was running in the wrong direction. We mentioned he was boozing, right? Cops gave him 2 options: get a ride home or get arrested.

He chose door #2, telling cops ... "Arrest me now!" Again. Booze.

Shane, who ya might also remember from the 90s teen flick, "Airborne" ... was busted for public intoxication, and took a grinning mug shot to rival Melissa Etheridge.

He got a $241 fine, but more importantly ... one helluva story.

Jared Fogle's clearly made at least one friend in prison ... because a jailhouse lawyer wants to get him out.

Jared's pal, Frank Edwin Pate, filed legal docs to say there's no proof Jared traveled to engage in sex with a minor. The docs, obtained by TMZ, say therefore the 15-year prison sentence the judge handed down should be thrown out.

Frank, btw, is 2 years into a 210-month prison sentence for fraud. So, not exactly Clarence Thomas here. Besides, there's no need for the court to prove anything ... since, y'know, Jared pled guilty to traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.

Fogle's lawyer, Ron Elberger, tells TMZ he's still working with Fogle. As for Frank Pate, Elberger says, "It's not an uncommon practice for jailhouse lawyers to assist" fellow inmates.

Meek Mill's most recent arrests didn't sit well with the judge, who's sending the rapper to prison for a minimum of 2 years for violating probation.

Meek was in a Philadelphia court Monday when the judge ruled he'd violated probation from his 2008 drug and weapons case by getting busted for a St. Louis airport fight ... and his reckless driving arrest in NYC.

Even though both cases were dropped, the judge said the arrests alone were violations -- and gave Meek 2 to 4 years in prison. He was immediately remanded into custody.

Didn't help Meek's case that he'd previously violated probation in 2015. He got off with house arrest for that one. No such luck this time.

Finally, some good news for ex-Seattle Seahawks star Brandon Browner -- officials decided not to move forward with charges in his domestic violence case ... despite allegations he threatened his ex with a gun.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... 33-year-old Browner was arrested back in Sept. after allegedly making criminal threats to a female.

Now, we've obtained official documents laying out the case against Browner -- which show Brandon's ex-GF told police things got scary during a FaceTime conversation.

"He showed her a gun and said he would kill her," the docs say.

But Browner told police she was lying and he never had a gun. Prosecutors couldn't prove the gun threat actually happened ... so they dropped the case.

7:11 PM PT -- Rand Paul suffered five broken ribs, 3 of which are either partly or completely cracked, from this weekend's attack ... according to his Chief of Staff Doug Stafford.

Rand Paul was allegedly "blindsided" at his home by his 59-year-old neighbor and cops have arrested the guy ... TMZ has learned.

The Kentucky Senator was assaulted Friday afternoon by Rene Boucher and suffered a minor injury ... according to law enforcement. Cops were called to the house and determined Boucher did it on purpose and arrested him. He was charged with one count of fourth-degree assault.

Boucher reportedly tackled Paul from behind at his Bowling Green residence after the 2 had an argument. He's being held on $5k bond at the Warren County Detention Center.

Jocelyn Wildenstein, the extravagant socialite famous for her plastic surgery, was arrested early Sunday morning along with her boyfriend for assault.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the 72-year-old Wildenstein and Lloyd Klein were cooking Sunday in their NYC apartment at around 1 AM when a plate broke in the oven. For some reason that triggered a fight that got verbal ... then physical.

She claims he pushed her to the ground, causing bruising on her neck and arm. She went to a nearby hospital.

He says she scratched him on the forehead, causing a laceration. He also went to the hospital.

Charles Manson is now a model prisoner ... because wreaking havoc behind bars is apparently a young man's game.

Sources with the California Department of Corrections tell TMZ ... The soon-to-be 83-year-old murderer hasn't violated prison rules since February 29, 2016 when guards found him in possession of a cell phone. A big no-no.

Prison officials believe Manson's on a 20-month goody two-shoes streak simply because of old age and health complications.

But Manson has not always been a model prisoner ... far from it. TMZ's obtained Manson's rap sheet in prison ... and he's tested patience for decades. There are over 100 infractions that go back to 1972, including ...

October 1972 -- Refused to shave

July 1973 -- Assault on staff

January 1975 -- Spitting and threatening staff

June 1977 -- Striking an officer

July 1978 -- Assault on correctional officer

April 1983 -- Possession of marijuana

July 1985 -- Possession of a hacksaw blade

February 1993 -- Assault and battery on non-prisoner

July 1993 -- Possession of a stabbing instrument

April 1995 -- Trafficking narcotics

Sept. 1995 -- Threatening to kill a police officer

March 1999 -- Battery on an inmate with weapon

December 2003 -- Possession of a deadly weapon

June 2009 -- Possession of a wrist watch

June 2015 -- Refusal to provide urine sample

Oakland A's catcher Bruce Maxwell -- the only MLB player who took a knee last season -- made "anti-police statements" and cussed out officers during his gun arrest ... this according to the police report.

26-year-old Maxwell was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct in Scottsdale, AZ on Saturday after allegedly pulling a gun on a food delivery woman.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ Sports, the woman says she was making a routine delivery from Geno's Pizza and Cheesesteaks in Tempe when Maxwell answered the door and stuck a gun right in her face.

"Lindsay advised me she was staring straight at the barrel of a silver handgun," the reporting officer put in the notes.

When cops confronted Maxwell, he reeked of booze, cussed like crazy and couldn't keep his story straight. However, at one point Maxwell said he had cancelled his food order before it arrived and was not expecting it to be delivered.

Cops say Maxwell admitted he had 2 guns in his apartment and a bunch of ammo -- but insisted he had a concealed carry permit.

As the investigation continued, cops say Maxwell "began making anti-police statements and utilized excessive profanity." When cops decided to arrest him, he initially refused to comply.

One cop had a rifle trained on Maxwell during the incident. Another gave Maxwell instructions while pointing a taser at him. Maxwell ultimately surrendered without any weapons being used.

Maxwell was transported to a nearby jail, where he continued to cuss out police officers -- according to the report.

The man who plowed his rental truck into pedestrians and cyclists in Lower Manhattan left behind handwritten letters pledging allegiance to ISIS.

Sayfullo Saipov, the 29-year-old terror suspect, reportedly left notes written in Arabic along with a picture of the ISIS flag in his Home Depot rental that he used to mow down innocent bystanders ... killing 8.

The notes indicate he pledged loyalty to the group, and were found by investigators after his attack.

Earlier Tuesday, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio described Saipov as a terrorist and a coward.