Crime

Not everyone wants to cancel Kareem Hunt -- Ryan Leaf tells TMZ Sports he hopes NFL teams and fans will give the guy a second chance ... if Hunt takes the steps to turn his life around.

"I mean this country is all about second chances," Leaf told us ... "Look at me."

After being selected with the #2 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, Leaf's life fell apart -- he was arrested multiple times for things like drug possession and burglary.

But, Leaf got help, sobered up and got his life back on track -- he now hosts a sports talk show on SiriusXM.

Leaf says if Hunt can focus on taking positive, healthy steps at bettering himself ... he really hopes the running back can play pro football again.

Still, Leaf is not minimizing Hunt's actions.

"Playing in the NFL, it's a privilege, it's not a right. And, there's consequences to your actions and you always have control over that."

So, what should Hunt be doing during his time away from the league?

"Just working on himself. That's the only thing you can do. You can't control what anybody else does."

Move over, "Mob Wives" ... there's a new show getting ready to mark its territory on VH1 with ties to drug cartels.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... VH1 is done casting for its non-scripted show that will feature people whose family is closely associated with the drug trade. We're told one person who made the cut is Michael Corleone Blanco -- the son of the notorious gangster, Griselda Blanco -- aka "The Godmother of Cocaine."

If VH1 wanted a member closely associated to the cartels, look no further than Michael Corleone Blanco, whose mom was Pablo Escobar's inspiration.

For the uninitiated, Griselda -- also nicknamed "The Godmother of the Medellin Cartel" -- reigned terror in Miami during the cocaine wars of the 70s and 80s. She reportedly ordered hits on hundreds and served nearly 2 decades behind bars in the U.S. for drug trafficking and 3 murders.

Griselda -- who once allegedly plotted to kidnap JFK Jr. -- was portrayed by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the movie "Cocaine Godmother: The Griselda Blanco Story." She was eventually deported to Colombia and gunned down 6 years ago outside a butcher shop in Medellin.

Magic Johnson's daughter had to flee a San Fernando Valley house where 2 armed men staged an early morning home invasion ... TMZ has learned.

Elisa Johnson was at an Airbnb, rented by friends, Sunday morning ... when the men got inside and started terrorizing the 10 people who were staying there ... according to law enforcement sources.

It's unclear if the suspects broke in or if the door was unlocked -- but we're told they held people at gunpoint, shoving them around the home.

23-year-old Elisa -- who appears on her brother EJ Johnson's E! reality show -- was in a bedroom and heard the commotion. We're told she fled through a sliding glass door at the back of the home and ran down the street to escape harm.

Meanwhile, the suspects cleaned out the home and fled before police arrived. We're told they made off with a Rolex and other jewelry, cash and electronics ... for a total haul worth between $30-$40k.

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox says even criminals have needs ... so he's down for El Chapo to get down in prison so long as he remains there. Forever.

We got Fox at Reagan National Airport Friday and talked to him a little bit about El Chapo ... specifically how a judge denied the drug lord's request to let him hug his wife in court. Sounds like Fox thinks that was harsh ... even for someone as notorious as Chapo.

The woman Kareem Hunt slammed down and kicked was initially gung-ho to press charges against the then-NFL superstar, but she's since gone silent ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we first reported, the woman repeatedly told Cleveland PD officers who responded to the scene she wanted to press charges. In the bodycam video we posted, she asked to see the surveillance footage, and also asked the police to look at it.

She said she wanted Hunt prosecuted for the alleged assault and/or for stealing her phone's SIM card. In the attack video, you clearly see someone walk off with her phone. She says it was eventually returned but, apparently, without the SIM card.

Our law enforcement sources tell us the woman never took her demand for charges to the city Prosecutor's Office and hasn't cooperated with the Prosecutor -- and that might be why the case has gone nowhere.

We're told police viewed the incident as an alleged misdemeanor assault, because, to the best of their knowledge, the woman hadn't suffered any serious injury. She would need to present evidence of serious injury for the incident to upgraded to a felony.

It's a fact that prosecutors can charge suspects even without the alleged victim's testimony. However, our sources say that rarely happens in Cleveland ... unless it's a felony or a domestic violence case.

So, the question is ... WHY has she gone silent? We've reached out to her several times, but no reply.

Hunt was asked point blank Sunday morning, during his ESPN interview, if he'd had any contact with her and he denied it ... adding he "barely knew her."

We're told she has 18 months to press charges, so there's still time.

Ray Rice says Kareem Hunt's attack on a woman shouldn't be the moment that defines his life -- and now the ex-NFL running is offering to work with Hunt as he works through his issues.

Rice spoke with NFL.com and acknowledged the "obvious" similarities between Hunt's incident and Ray's 2014 elevator attack ... and feels he's in a position to teach Hunt how to learn from this situation and better himself.

"Peer-to-peer, I would definitely try to help him figure out, 'How can we start dealing with the underlying problems in your life?'" Rice said.

"Because he has a long life to live, this will be a defining moment, but it shouldn't be the moment that defines you. For me, I just see you have a long life to live and that doesn't mean just playing football -- you need to just live one day at a time."

Rice was asked if he could've given a message to Hunt BEFORE the hotel attack, what would have said to the running back.

"First, I would look at the situation and say, 'How did I even get in that moment?' Because whatever what was done in that moment, something transpired before it even got there."

Tekashi69 isn't getting the red carpet treatment in federal lockup -- several Crips wasted NO time "gangsta checking" him, and TMZ has learned that's what got him transferred to a new facility.

The tense showdown went down November 19 at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, right after 6ix9ine was denied bail ... according to our law enforcement sources.

We're told Tekashi, an alleged member of the 9 Trey Gangsta Bloods, was confronted by inmates affiliated with the Crips who were in the intake area as he arrived. That's when one inmate 'G Checked' him -- meaning stepped up to him to see if he's a real gangsta or just a wannabe.

We're told the Crip told Tekashi he better understand who's in charge -- and the only thing that saved him from a beatdown was the fact prison staffers quickly intervened.

His attorney, Lance Lazzaro, says 6ix9ine "was being threatened in jail. However, he was not scared nor did he request being removed. The [Bureau of Prisons], acting upon these threats, removed him to a different facility to eliminate the threat."

TMZ broke the story ... the new facility where he ended up is sometimes used for witnesses who cut deals. Our sources said Tekashi specifically asked to be in a unit away from Crips and Bloods.

Kodak Black found himself in handcuffs after a fight in the club, but fortunately for the rapper ... he didn't get arrested.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Kodak and his crew were hanging at the Playhouse Nightclub in Hollywood Friday night when a fight broke out a little after midnight. We're told police were called to the scene and squashed it, and Kodak was detained while they sorted everything out.

A video was uploaded to Instagram showing the rapper -- in a white shirt and orange shoes -- cuffed on the sidewalk.

Our sources say Kodak was let go shortly after the vid, though ... and won't face any charges. It's unclear if there were any other arrests.

We broke the story ... KB was released early from jail in August after serving 7 months for a probation violation. He'd been arrested back in January for grand theft with a firearm, possession of weapons by a felon, possession of more than 20 grams of weed, child neglect and 2 probation violation charges. He was facing 12 years behind bars, but 5 of the charges were dropped.

The woman who was attacked by Kareem Hunt repeatedly begged cops at the scene to view the hotel surveillance footage of the incident because she wanted to press charges ... but the officers told her it wasn't that simple.

You can see in police body cam footage obtained by TMZ Sports ... the woman was adamant she wanted to press charges against Hunt for the attack and allegedly stealing the SIM card from her phone.

She thought the best way to prove her allegations was for cops to go to the front desk of the hotel and ask the manager to show them the surveillance video.

But, cops told the woman they were stuck because the hotel is a "private facility" and "they don't have to show us unless they're ordered by a court."

The woman was disappointed but sounded serious about pursuing a case against Hunt anyway.

The responding officers eventually went upstairs and interviewed Hunt -- but he was never arrested and charges were never filed against him.

We know the hotel eventually turned over the surveillance video to investigators -- but we're not sure why prosecutors opted against filing a case considering what the video shows.

The Redskins blackballed Colin Kaepernick for political reasons -- and the Reuben Foster signing proves that -- so says ex-NFL exec Joe Banner.

Washington reportedly passed on Kap because of the worry of distractions he'd bring to the team ... but then signed Foster -- an LB accused of domestic violence -- just days later.

Banner -- a former Eagles president and Browns CEO -- says he doesn't see how that's logical ... and tells TMZ Sports it's clear the 'Skins didn't want Kap because of his political beliefs.

"It clearly means the Redskins are blackballing Colin, and I think they're doing it for political reasons," Joe says.

"The team happens to be run by two guys that have been very clear in their politics in Bruce Allen and Dan Snyder, and it's clearly not a good political fit."

Joe says that's crazy to him as a former NFL personnel exec ... saying if he were a current player on the 'Skins -- he'd be pretty ticked off.

"I just don't see how you can look at your team, who's been working here since last July and use that as an explanation to not try to be the best you can be at the moment."

Banner added of Colin, "Yeah, he'll bring some media focus on the team and so on and so forth, but small price to pay, especially since you've already indicated for the right situation you're willing to pay it."

Banner -- who was part of the Eagles team that brought in Michael Vick after his prison sentence -- says if he were still in a front office, Kaep would have a job on his squad.

As for Foster ... Joe couldn't say the same -- telling us the allegations against the LB are just "too egregious."

Ex-Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson says he's "really f*cking upset" with Kareem Hunt -- saying the young NFL star should have learned lessons from the terrible mistakes LJ made.

Remember, Johnson -- who was a great running back for the Chiefs back in the day -- had several issues with violence toward women during his NFL career ... and has openly talked about how he regrets the choices he made.

So, when he saw the TMZ Sports video showing Hunt attacking a woman in a Cleveland hotel in February ... Johnson lashed out.

"I thought I made my mistakes painfully clear!!!! I thought I was a perfect example of what NOT to do!!!!"

"I thought by speaking aloud about my pitfalls that players after me could see these situations before they’d happen. REALLY F*CKING UPSET KAREEM."

Back in 2003 -- the same year LJ was a 1st-round pick in the NFL Draft -- Johnson was arrested for waving a gun at his then-girlfriend.

He was arrested again in 2005 and 2008 for allegedly getting violent with women and in 2012 he was convicted in a case where he strangled a woman in a Vegas hotel.

Jesse Jane might have celebrated a bit too much after a big win for her University of Oklahoma football team -- she was lying on a sidewalk after the game ... and got hauled off to jail.

The adult film star and OK native was busted for public intoxication in Norman on November 10, shortly after after the Sooners beat Oklahoma State in the Bedlam Series. Jane shared a video of her and a friend scarfing some food earlier in the day at the game.

Apparently they didn't eat enough. According to police, Jesse "pissed her pants" and seemed highly inebriated as she tried to answer an officer's questions.

Jane kept repeating "I didn't do anything," and was unable to provide a phone number for a ride or confirm with the cop she had cash for a cab ... so she got arrested instead.

The retired porn star was booked into the Cleveland County Jail. Later, she messaged a local news station, claiming she'd been drugged. Cops released her later ... we're presuming after she sobered up.

9:26 AM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they observed a 2018 Mercedes driving the wrong way just after midnight Thursday. Cops pulled the vehicle over, and smelled marijuana coming from inside ... they searched the Mercedes and discovered 24 circular tins of marijuana.

A$AP was arrested and taken back to the police station where he was strip-searched ... and cops found 3 more tins inside his underwear. A$AP told cops the weed was for personal use.

A$AP Mob cofounder A$AP Bari got busted for drugs in Pennsylvania and is facing 2 felony charges ... TMZ has learned.

The fashion designer was arrested Thursday in Palmer Township, PA and hit with 2 counts of manufacturing, delivery or possession with intent to distribute drugs ... according to law enforcement sources. It's unclear what drugs he was allegedly slinging.

A$AP's also been charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

He was booked at the Northampton County Prison and bail was set at $25k. He was released after bonding out.

Bari was also arrested earlier this year -- in London -- for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman at a London hotel in July 2017. She sued him last November, as well, but he fired back with a suit of his own in August.

Tekashi69 climbing to the top of the charts doesn't make him immune to the harsh reality -- if ya do the crime, ya gotta do the time ... so says Kevin O'Leary.

We got the "Shark Tank" star outside Benjamin Prime Steak House in NYC -- Tekashi's home turf -- and he surprised us in a couple of ways. For starters, the 64-year-old entrepreneur knows exactly who 6ix9ine is. And, get this ... Kevin's a fan.

Check it out ... Kevin -- an expert in brand-building -- says Tekashi's monumentally successful album, "Dummy Boy," means he won't have to worry about money ... even while he's sitting in a federal prison facility.

Harvey Weinstein and his defense are trying to turn the tide in his ongoing sex crime case by pointing to a new female witness -- who was a close friend of one of Weinstein's alleged victims -- and use her to paint a picture of a consensual relationship between Weinstein and his accuser.

In new docs -- obtained by TMZ -- the witness claims the alleged victim was "hooking up" with Weinstein for "a very long time" and she never heard the alleged victim say anything bad about Weinstein ... speaking very highly of him. The witness says she personally saw Weinstein and the accuser hanging out socially ... including at events after the alleged rape.

According to the docs, the former friend of the alleged victim says she never heard the woman say anything bad about Weinstein ... but she admits she had a falling out with her friend a few years back after a disagreement.

However, Weinstein claims the witness said that changed last year, when she heard from the alleged victim who told her Weinstein had assaulted her in New York a few years back, and she wanted the witness to give credibility to her claim.

Weinstein's attorney, Ben Brafman, says the witness told detectives she'd been approached by the alleged victim but refused to make up a story to support her friend's allegations.

Surf legend Bruce Irons tells TMZ Sports he's confident he will beat the DUI Drug allegations against him -- claiming the field sobriety showed he was "fine."

As we previously reported, the 39-year-old surfer was arrested in Newport Beach last week when cops claim they found him passed out behind the wheel of a car with the engine running.

He was booked for driving under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

Now, Irons tells us ... he's confident he'll be cleared -- and called the whole thing a "hiccup in the road."

"I did the sobriety test and I was fine," Irons told us at LAX on his way back to Hawaii.

Irons admits he was driving on an expired license -- but says he had planned to go back to Hawaii and fix that situation before the arrest.

Bruce also had a message for his fans -- "Innocent until proven guilty."