Crime & Arrests

Getting R. Kelly on the phone from prison put podcasters April Smith and Patricia Dillard in a serious dilemma ... one where they risked backlash from the public, and even their own families.

As we reported, April and Patricia made the decision to post their interview with the convicted felon, which they did for their "Inmate Tea with A&P" podcast -- and during their chat Patricia, in particular, was feeling it when Kelly started singing.

The duo told us scoring the Kelly interview happened totally by accident ... they were interviewing a different inmate who mentioned Kelly was in the same prison, and he managed to get him on the line.

Weston Cage is officially tying the knot with his girlfriend ... and, while his mom Christina Fulton says she's happy for him, she adds it doesn't change the alleged abuse she suffered at his hands.

The son of Nicolas Cage proposed to Jenifer Alexa Canter ... and, he tells TMZ she's his first and only love -- adding he's loved her since she was a teen and he will remain committed to her forever.

Weston adds, "Jenifer saved my life. I am so happy now that my sobriety isn’t even a struggle. I can’t imagine returning to the active addiction as I now have all that I have ever wanted. Thank God I don’t have to pretend to be happy anymore."

A "Big Brother 2" contestant found herself back in the slammer ... less than a year after being taken into custody for property theft.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ ... Autumn Daly -- who was on the hit reality series in 2001 -- was arrested by Denton County sheriff's deputies in Texas on February 6 over several violations of her community watch agreement.

The 10-year agreement was set in July 2022, when Autumn pled guilty to first-degree theft. One of the rules to keep herself out of jail? Don't break the law.

Yusef Salaam -- one of the wrongfully convicted Central Park Five -- says the country is living through the "American Nightmare" right now ... and, people advocating for Derek Chauvin's release is just the latest in a litany of issues.

We caught up with the New York City councilman at the For The Love Of Our Children Gala -- the 10th edition of the National CARES Mentoring Movement's gala -- and, we had to ask about chatter about Trump supporters asking the president to pardon Chauvin. Remember, Chauvin was convicted in federal court in June 2021 for the murder of George Floyd.

Salaam says the country -- especially Black Americans -- are living through a nightmare ... a far cry from the promises of the American Dream. He says this isn't just because of a potential Chauvin pardon either ... but due to many of Trump's policies.

R. Kelly may be behind bars ... but he proved his vocal chords are as free as ever during a rare podcast interview when he serenaded the audience by singing two snippets of his songs.

The disgraced singer -- who is currently serving a 30-year sentence for federal racketeering and sex trafficking convictions -- appeared on the "Inmate Tea with A&P" podcast and performed part of his 1998 song "When a Woman's Fed Up" and later, some of his 2003 track, "Step in the Name of Love."

Kelly confirmed his conviction hasn't diminished his love for music, explaining ... "Singing is a beautiful disease that's uncurable ... I'm always singing."

A suspect in the murder of rapper G$ Lil Ronnie has been arrested ... TMZ has confirmed.

Forrest Hills Police Chief David Hernandez tells TMZ … Adonis Robinson -- a 24-year-old man -- was arrested in Livingston, Texas ... about 75 miles outside of Houston.

The Intelligence division of the FHPD was involved in the arrest ... though it's unclear how they tracked Robinson down.

Michael Lohan's recent arrest is leading to even more legal trouble, TMZ has learned ... 'cause now he has a warrant for his arrest out in Florida.

According to court documents ... an arrest warrant was issued last week after Lohan was arrested in Texas for allegedly assaulting his estranged wife, Kate Major.

The warrant relates to a case out in Palm Beach ... where Michael reportedly pled guilty to five counts of patient brokering back in 2022 for receiving commission for referring several patients to a particular rehab facility.

Take a seat, 'cause you’re going to want to hear this -- there’s now a Morgan Wallen-inspired drink being served at the very same bar where he tossed a chair off the balcony!

Morgan's buddy, Eric Church, who owns the Nashville rooftop bar Chief's, is cashing in big time by debuting a drink inspired by the whole drama, which comes complete with a tiny chair garnish in a cheeky nod to that infamous moment.

For just $15 (plus tax, of course), you can snag this drama-driven drink only on the venue's rooftop. A TikTok video that went viral revealed it’s a mix of Smirnoff raspberry vodka, raspberry liqueur, lemonade, and a splash of soda ... so it seems like the perfect way to toast to a wild night.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard says all of the letters Luigi Mangione is getting in jail will serve as a boost for the alleged murderer ... but, be warned, she adds -- 'cause there are lots of weirdos out there.

We caught up with Blanchard -- who served seven years after she was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of her mother -- at LAX Thursday ... and, we asked her what it's like to receive so much fan mail while locked up.

GRB says it's good to buoy your spirits ... but, it's important to distinguish between people who are genuinely reaching out versus the ones who are sending letters in an attempt to get something out of you.

Convicted fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried is spilling the tea on life behind bars ... he's got an unlikely roommate situation, 'cause he’s sharing a cell block with none other than Diddy!

Speaking to Tucker Carlson via video link from Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, the former FTX mogul revealed he’s only seen one side of Diddy -- apparently, the kind one, saying the disgraced entertainment mogul's been nothing but nice to him and other inmates.

SBF added some perspective, saying being stuck in a soul-crushing place like prison is a situation no one wants to be in -- so all they really have is each other, and that's why kindness is key behind bars.

Tory Lanez is absolutely loving Kim Kardashian for using one of his tunes in her latest bikini video ... which has fans clamoring to free him from prison.

Ceasar McDowell, CEO of Unite the People -- the organization currently representing Tory --tells TMZ he spoke with Tory over the phone on Wednesday, and the rapper is well aware Kim shared his song "The Color Violet" on her Instagram.

As a result, Kim's comment section is flooding with Tory supporters who are sharing the hashtag "#FreeTory" ... which, of course, is making him feel pretty good.

Two men have been hit with criminal charges for their alleged roles in an ill-fated Kansas City Chiefs watch party that resulted in the death of three males.

Officials in Platte County, Missouri announced this week that Jordan Willis and Ivory Carson have been hit with three counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of delivery of a controlled substance ... after investigators say the two contributed to the deaths of Clayton McGeeney, David Harrington and Ricky Johnson back in January 2024.

You'll recall ... the trio of men went to Willis' K.C.-area residence to watch Andy Reid and Co. take on the Chargers -- but they were found dead two days later, frozen in Willis' backyard.

Diddy and his attorneys want one of the sexual assault lawsuits tossed out of court, but if they're successful it could change the game in dozens of the other civil cases he's facing.

Here's the deal ... Diddy's zeroing-in on New York's Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law (GMVA), because that's the statute a Jane Doe used to sue him back in December for a sexual assault she claims happened at a charity basketball game in 1991 at City College.

The date is what's important here, at least according to Diddy's attorney Mark Cuccaro. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, he points out the GMVA was passed on December 19, 2000. Back in 2022, New York made an amendment that extended the statute of limitations for claims under the GMVA, from 7 to 9 years.

Erik and Lyle Menendez will NOT have their day in court this month ... because their upcoming resentencing hearing has been postponed, and it's all because of California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The Menendez Brothers were set to enter a courtroom March 20 and 21 for the first time since their 1990s murder trials ... but now their resentencing hearing is delayed because Newsom ordered an investigation into whether they are fit to return to public life.

Resentencing is now irrelevant for Erik and Lyle, with Newsom short-circuiting the whole process by directing the state's Board of Parole Hearings to conduct a "risk assessment investigation" on the brothers.

Michelle Manziel -- mother to former NFL QB Johnny -- has been arrested for driving while intoxicated ... TMZ has learned.

Manziel was arrested Saturday night in Kerrville, Texas ... a town about 65 miles northwest of San Antonio.

We've obtained Michelle's mug shot ... no smile, but she does have a look on her face that seems almost shocked to be in the situation.

Colin Stough, the 20-year-old "American Idol" fan-favorite, has been arrested for alleged drunk driving in Tennessee after a car crash, TMZ has learned.

Authorities tell us ... Colin was taken into custody early Friday after highway patrol responded to a single-vehicle crash on I-840 East near the 37-mile marker in Williamson County, which is just outside of Nashville.

Colin was arrested and charged with DUI, underage consumption of alcohol, and failure to exercise due care, TMZ is told. It was not clear if he suffered any injuries in the crash, but he was taken to the hospital and cleared before he was booked. He has since bailed out.