Crime & Arrests

Danny Masterson has just been found guilty by a jury on two of the three rape counts he was facing ... with a deadlock on the third.

The "That '70s Show" actor received the guilty verdict Wednesday in Downtown Los Angeles. He faces up to 30 years to life in prison, and has a sentencing hearing Aug. 4.

As we reported, Masterson's first trial kicked off in October where he pled not guilty ... and the whole thing ended in a mistrial the following month after the jury couldn't come to a decision. Two of 12 jurors voted to convict Masterson on one rape charge, four jurors voted to convict him on a second rape charge and five jurors voted to convict him on the third rape charge.

After the mistrial, Masterson's attorney Philip Cohen told us the case was "about nothing other than the credibility of the three accusers and that credibility could only be determined by comparing, contrasting and focusing on the ever-evolving statements given by the women."

His team tried pretty hard to get the case dismissed, but to no avail -- and the retrial started up last month, bringing in Shawn Holley to his defense, known from O.J. Simpson's criminal trial.

You'll recall, Masterson was charged back in 2020  -- with the alleged victims saying the incidents went down between 2001 and 2003, which is smack dab in the middle of his work on the comedy series.

Armie Hammer will not be charged with rape in L.A. County ... as the District Attorney's Office says it could not prove the allegation beyond a reasonable doubt.

As we've reported, this case has dragged on for more than 2 years as police said they were continuing to investigate -- but the D.A. says the case was just too murky, partially because of the "complexity of the relationship" between the accuser and Armie.

Prosecutors also say they couldn't "prove a non-consensual, forcible sexual encounter" had occurred between them.

This has been going on since February 2021 ... when the accuser, Effie Angelova, first reported her allegations to police.

She said they'd been romantically involved since 2017 ... but claimed things turned violent after Hammer forced sex on her during one of their encounters.

Armie, through his attorney Blair Berk, has always denied the allegations.

He's insisted it was a consensual sexual relationship, and they were role-playing in a rape fantasy.

In an interview earlier this year, Armie admitted that he'd, perhaps, been emotionally abusive to some past partners ... with whom he'd participated in BDSM sex.

The L.A. County D.A.'s Director of Communications Tiffiny Blacknell says, "Sexual assault cases are often difficult to prove, which is why we assign our most experienced prosecutors to review them. In this case, those prosecutors conducted an extremely thorough review, but determined at this time, there is insufficient evidence to charge Mr. Hammer with a crime."

She continues, "We know that it is hard for women to report sexual assault. Even when we cannot move forward with a prosecution, our victim service representatives will be available to those who seek our victim support services."

The Island Boys are setting the record straight on a rumor swirling around the internet ... they say they are NOT the kids who took a photo with Jeffrey Epstein back in the day.

Here's the deal ... an old photo showing Epstein posing on a tropical beach with four young kids recently resurfaced online, with lots of folks claiming the kids flanking JE were the Island Boys.

Flyysoulja tells TMZ … he and his twin brother Kodiyakredd have seen the viral photo but the kids in the image are NOT them.

There's speculation the photo was snapped on one of Epstein's private islands in the Caribbean, and Flyysoulja says he and his brother never left Florida until they were 18, and the photo doesn't look like it's from their home state.

What's more, Flyysoulja says he looked exactly like his fraternal twin when they were growing up ... meaning they didn't have different colored hair like the boys in the Epstein photo.

Flyysoulja also points out that the boys in the photo appear to be Caucasian, while the Island Boys are Cuban.

Even though Ezra Miller is a magnet for controversy and has had numerous brushes with the law ... the actor will definitely keep their future gig as "The Flash," at least according to the film's director.

"Flash" director Andy Muschietti appeared on an upcoming episode of "The Discourse" podcast and made no bones about wanting Miller to reprise the role of the superhero in the event there's a sequel.

Muschietti said, "If [a sequel] happens, yes [Miller would be Flash]." I don’t think there’s anyone that can play that character as well as they did." Miller, who identifies as non-binary uses they/them pronouns.

Muschietti continued, "The other depictions of the character are great, but this particular vision of the character, they just excelled in doing it."

The director also pointed out Miller plays two different versions of Barry in the newest installment of the movie to be released June 16, so "it feels like a character that was made for them." Miller's character goes by the name Barry Allen as part of an all-star cast that includes 2 Batmans played by Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck.

Despite the actor's success, Miller has repeatedly been arrested in Hawaii and Vermont for assault, disorderly conduct, petit larceny, burglary and harassment.

All the cases occurred in 2022, but none of them resulted in Miller getting sentenced to jail.

Tyler Christopher went from "General Hospital" to a generally passed-out drunk guy who had a little too much and needed to sleep one off -- so say cops in Southern California.

Burbank PD tells TMZ, the longtime soap actor was arrested Friday at the airport after cops were notified of a dude snoozing on the ground near the American Airlines terminal ... which the officers suspected might've been alcohol-related.

We're told when the officers approached Christopher and woke him up, he told them he'd missed his flight. That apparently wasn't a good enough explanation for them though -- 'cause the cops ended up cuffing and booking him for public intoxication.

We're told Christopher displayed clear and objective signs of intoxication ... and he was unable to care for himself. Our sources say that was reason enough to bust him.

It's unfortunate to see him in this sitch ... as he was arrested for something very similar a few years ago when he got thrown in jail for passing out in the back of an Uber ... and the driver claimed he'd even urinated on himself too.

As for this airport arrest -- Christopher was ultimately cited and released with a date to appear in court.

Gunna is back in the public eye after taking a plea deal in the ongoing YSL RICO case ... but Boosie Badazz doesn't want to see him prosper any further.

TMZ Hip Hop obtained footage of Boosie's upcoming appearance on "The Big Homies House" podcast with Kodaq and Jojo ... and the Louisiana rapper didn't hold back from revealing his ill will for Gunna, even wishing he never sells another record again!

Boosie says the "pushin P" rapper would be better suited to continue his rap career in another country outside the U.S., and used the recent backlash from in-house YSL producer Wheezy to justify his point.

Wheezy, who produced several songs on Gunna's last album, including the trendsetting record "pushin P," recently distanced himself from Gunna over respect for Young Thug ... who's been dealing with loads of courtroom drama.

Boosie also dismissed the notion that Thug is fine with Gunna resuming his daily life ... and painted him as a turncoat from day one who was waiting on his chance to squirm free when things got tough.

Gunna was spotted at the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics Game 6 on Saturday, clearly immune to the criticism that Boosie and others have been hurling his way since he was released from jail last December.

Elizabeth Holmes has traded in her customary black turtlenecks for prison fatigues ... 'cause she just surrendered to authorities at a federal lockup.

The disgraced former Theranos CEO arrived Tuesday at the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas, where she will serve her 11-year sentence after her 2022 conviction on four counts of wire fraud and conspiracy resulting from her phony blood testing scheme. She made several requests to stay free while appealing her conviction, but the judge denied her each time.

During her incarceration, Holmes will be far apart from her family ... making the prison experience that much harder.

Her husband, William Evans, lives in California with their 1-year-old son and 3-month-old daughter, which could make visiting Holmes a challenge.

On the flip side, Holmes will be in close proximity to another familiar face ... "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Jen Shah is serving her 6.5-year sentence at the same facility for running a fraudulent telemarketing enterprise. The two will have plenty of time to get to know each other.

As we reported, Holmes was indicted for telling investors her company -- Theranos -- created a one-of-a-kind machine to streamline a full range of clinical tests using blood samples. But, her promise of conducting cheaper and easier blood testing was all just a ruse to get her investors to hand over hundreds of millions of dollars. A judge has ordered Holmes to pay $452 million in restitution to the victims of her scam.

DaniLeigh spent the end of Memorial Day weekend in jail -- this after cops say she hit somebody with her car while driving under the influence.

The singer -- who's also DaBaby's ex/mother to one of his kids -- was arrested early Tuesday morning in Miami Beach ... where police claim she was involved in a DUI hit and run, which ended with a serious back injury to the alleged victim, who was riding a moped.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Dani was seen by several witnesses driving at a high rate of speed and swerving in and out of lanes near Miami Beach. Eventually, cops say she struck somebody who was on a motorized scooter ... and dragged the moped for about a block. Somebody flagged down a nearby officer, who then initiated a stop.

In the paperwork, the cop describes Dani as smelling of alcohol. He conducted field sobriety tests, which he says she failed -- and says she later took a Breathalyzer.

The officer claims she blew a 0.145 and 0.148, nearly twice the legal limit. Dani was cuffed and taken to jail, where she was booked on 3 felony charges ... driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury, and DUI damage to property.

As for the person whom cops say was hit ... cops claim they were treated at a local hospital, where they say they were told by docs that this man suffered a kidney laceration and a spinal fracture.

Memorial Day turned violent at a popular Florida tourist destination ... nine people were shot and injured, including four minors, in Hollywood Beach.

The bullets started flying Monday afternoon when two groups got into a heated argument and decided to settle their differences using guns.

Several videos circulating online caught all the chaos. One clip shows the moment shots were fired, causing people to scatter on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk -- a busy promenade filled with restaurants and shops.

Other footage captured paramedics giving first aid to victims at the scene.

Police said five adults and four minors were treated at hospitals for gunshot wounds -- and one had to undergo surgery. Yet, all nine victims -- ranging in age from 1 to 65 -- were listed in stable condition.

Hollywood Police Department spokesperson Deanna Bettineschi said investigators detained one person of interest and were searching for a second possible suspect.

Franky Venegas, one of the twins from the viral Island Boys duo, has to make a clean break from his ex-girlfriend ... he can't contact her at all after getting busted for allegedly getting physical with her.

Franky was arrested for domestic battery earlier this month and released from jail, and now he's got a set of special conditions to follow as the case moves forward.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Franky can have zero contact with the alleged victim in his case, ex-GF Amina Sobhi. This is standard practice in DV cases.

Franky was busted for domestic battery earlier this month after Amina told cops they got into an argument by the pool of their Airbnb in Pompano Beach, FL. Amina claims Franky slapped and pushed her into the pool after she threatened to break up with him.

Franky later posted a vid outside the jail, letting his fans know he was released from custody. As we first reported, Amina's now getting treatments to remove 3 tattoos she previously had inked in his honor.

In addition to steering clear of Amina, the docs also state Franky must stay away from alcohol and drugs, submit to random drug and alcohol testing, and possess no weapons.

Benedict Cumberbatch's home was subject to a terrifying break-in ... as a man wielding a knife was destroying his property and shouting at the actor and his family while they all feared for their lives inside.

According to Daily Mail, 35-year-old chef Jack Bissell kicked his way through the front gate of Benedict's $3.5 mil North London property -- shouting "I know you've moved here, I hope it burns down" while the actor, his wife, and their 3 kids could hear him just outside their doors.

Bissell, who formerly worked at the Beaumont Hotel in Mayfair, reportedly yanked out one of their plants and threw it against the garden wall ... and also spit on their intercom before ripping it off the building.

The chef fled the scene before things could escalate further ... and luckily, police found his DNA on the intercom, leading to his eventual arrest. He was slapped with a fine and a 3-year restraining order from the Cumberbatch family.

During this month's trial, prosecutors said Bissell bought 2 packs of pita bread at a nearby store before the incident, telling the shopkeeper he was going to break into Benedict's home and burn it down.

Bissell pled guilty and was sentenced on May 10, although specifics surrounding the date the incident occurred haven't been revealed. According to DailyMail, details of the case could not be reported until they "successfully challenged blanket reporting restrictions this week."

It's unclear what the connection is between Bissell and Cumberbatch.

Ryan McKenna, the Super Bowl selfie kid who snapped a viral photo years ago with Justin Timberlake, has pleaded no contest for allegedly going on a drunken rampage at a restaurant earlier this year ... and he's now on probation as he navigates adulthood.

The 19-year-old pled no contest on two charges -- resisting an officer without violence, and battery. The judge ordered the former selfie star to spend the next 12 months on probation.

Ryan's forbidden from consuming or even possessing alcohol -- he's not even allowed to enter places that primarily sell booze.

He's also been ordered to undergo substance abuse evaluation and submit to random breathalyzer and urine checks. He must also cough up $824 in court costs and fines.

We obtained body cam footage from February's incident ... which shows Ryan acting erratically before getting cuffed and taken to jail.

TMZ broke the story, cops got called to a Naples, Florida CPK on the eve of the Super Bowl after they were told Ryan was drunk and had hit his friend.

Another angle shows authorities slamming him to the ground before finally putting him in cuffs. Cops say he put his hands on an officer who was trying to calm him down.

High school hoops star Mikey Williams has lost his partnership with a sports technology company, TMZ Sports has learned ... one month after he was arrested in Southern California.

As we previously reported, Williams -- who committed to play for the Memphis Tigers last November -- was jailed on April 13 after authorities alleged he was involved in a shooting near his San Diego County home in March.

Lace Clips, one of the first companies to ink the basketball player to a name, image and likeness deal, told us they will no longer work with Williams after the arrest.

"We are not continuing our partnership with Mikey Williams," said Jonathan Nussbaum, the president of Lace Clips.

Nussbaum also claims that Williams wasn't holding up his end of the bargain after they gave him a multiyear contract in 2022 ... adding that their relationship was deteriorating even before his arrest.

"He is not someone that will be associated with our brand going forward," Nussbaum said.

We're told Williams' partnership with the sports tech company -- which makes wearable smart activity trackers that attach to shoes -- will cease at the end of May.

Bill Cosby's Cliff Huxtable character is sparking a furious online debate over whether he should be named one of the top 10 TV dads -- this after all of his legal woes involving sexual assault.

Cosby played the role of Cliff -- the beloved doctor -- in the popular '80s sitcom, "The Cosby Show," and, as a result, became an instant icon to all families.

But all that came to a crashing halt in the 2010s when he was accused of drugging and raping multiple women. In one case, Cosby was prosecuted and convicted of aggravated indecent assault, and sentenced to 10 years in prison. But Cosby's conviction was later overturned, and he was released after nearly 3 years behind bars.

Twitter users have compiled a list of the 10 best TV dads -- starting with Danny Tanner (Full House), then Dan Conner (Roseanne), Tim Taylor (Home Improvement), Philip Banks (Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air), Carl Winslow (Family Matters), Phil Dunphy (Modern Family), George Lopez (The George Lopez Show), Andy Griffith (The Andy Griffith Show), Mike Brady (The Brady Bunch) and Al Bundy (Married... with Children).

People are asking whether Huxtable should be on the list for obvious reasons -- but it seems many on Twitter are arguing on his behalf, although they still have mixed feelings.

One person wrote, "So Cliff Huxtable is trending because he wasn't included in a list of top 10 TV dads. Who can't forget about a rapist who played an OBGYN that conducted vaginal exams in his basement?"

Another person said, "Cliff Huxtable was one of the greatest TV dads of all time. Bill Cosby is a sexual deviant who got away with rape because of a technicality. We can say one without compromising the other."

A third individual pointed out ... "Separating Cosby from Cliff Huxtable is a tough ask, but the character was undeniably a great one -- and an important one. He belongs on the list."

So we gotta ask ...

Todd Chrisley's son, Kyle Chrisley, is no longer facing criminal charges after being arrested for allegedly telling his estranged wife he'd kill her ... TMZ has learned.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, prosecutors in Georgia say the charges against Kyle have been dropped because the alleged victim is no longer cooperating.

The DeKalb County D.A. tells TMZ … "After further investigation, review of the evidence and discussion with the victim, based on all facts and circumstances our office declined to prosecute the case."

TMZ broke the story ... when Kyle was picked up by cops in Oklahoma on drug charges back in May 2019, police also found out he was wanted in Georgia for allegedly threatening to kill his estranged wife.

The woman, Alexus Chrisley, initially told authorities in Georgia, Kyle had made death threats against her in January 2019 via text message.

As we reported ... Alexus claimed Kyle sent her a text, saying ... "[N]ot before I end you. Im going to the streets I will get my s**t and take care of this problem with you because if I'm not with you nobody will be. Bye Alexus."

Alexus told police she texted back, "thats a threat to my life" ... to which Kyle allegedly answered, "yes :Lexi it was. Goodbye."

Cops say Alexus also claimed Kyle sent photos of himself pointing a weapon at his head.

While Kyle is off the hook in this case, he's still got other legal issues ... as we first reported, he was booked for felony aggravated assault in Tennessee back in March after allegedly brandishing a knife during a fight.

A former "Family Feud" contestant charged with murdering his estranged wife has to deal with a compelling text ... from the woman he's accused of killing.

Timothy Bliefnick, who's accused of breaking into the home of Becky Bliefnick and shooting her dead, is the man Becky believed would kill her.

The Illinois nurse who was murdered back in February texted her sister with this ominous prediction ... "If something ever happens to me, make sure the No. 1 person of interest is Tim."

She went on ... "I am putting this in writing that I’m fearful he will somehow harm me, come after me, or will try to [do] something to me that takes me away from the kids or the kids away from me, He already has lied multiple times to paint himself as a victim and me as the perpetrator when it is absolutely the other way around."

The text messages were introduced in Timothy's murder trial.

Timothy and Becky were knee-deep in a divorce war ... fighting over custody of their 3 kids.

Timothy's defense is that someone was stalking his estranged wife and that person is the culprit.