Crime

Feds investigating R. Kelly in Illinois are on the hunt for more sex tapes that allegedly show him with underage girls ... and prosecutors are doing everything they can to find footage.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois is interviewing parties closely associated with Kelly. We're told prosecutors have been asking about the possible existence of VHS tapes purportedly showing Kelly having sex with minors.

Rumors about an alleged stash of R. Kelly sex tapes have been floating around since Kelly went to trial on child porn charges back in 2008, but it's never been found ... not by law enforcement, anyway.

As we've reported ... the feds are building another case against Kelly in Illinois, which we're told is entirely separate from the 2 probes currently underway in New York -- one by the Eastern District and another by the Southern District.

We're told feds in Illinois are investigating Kelly on 3 different fronts: sex trafficking, tax evasion and obstruction of justice.

In terms of obstruction ... we're told prosecutors have been asking people close to Kelly an array of questions focusing on his 2008 trial, believing Kelly and his handlers may have pressured witnesses. Some of the questions involve alleged payoffs to prevent witnesses from testifying in court or speaking out publicly.

We reached out to the U.S. Attorney's Office, but it declined to comment.

Soledad O'Brien, host of Saturday night's Lifetime follow-up to "Surviving R. Kelly," says this docuseries has been groundbreaking for victims who never had a voice.

We got Soledad Friday at LAX ... on the eve her show, "Surviving R. Kelly: The Impact," which not only follows up with the alleged victims but also the defense strategies of the embattled singer.

She says one of the values of her docuseries and others is that victims who had no previous connection are able to find each other and mobilize.

Kim Kardashian and her legal team have helped free another inmate serving a life sentence for a low-level drug offense ... this time in Florida.

Kim made the announcement Friday, saying a prisoner named Jeffrey Stringer would be walking free and reunited with his family soon after serving 22 years of a life sentence.

She posted this shot of Jeffrey's family members, who are clearly thrilled he's been granted a reduced sentence after more than 2 decades behind bars.

Sources connected to the case tell us Jeffrey was convicted for drug possession when he was 25, but because he had 2 drug priors ... he got life under the federal three-strikes law.

His attorney, Brittany K. Barnett -- who Kim credited for securing Jeffrey's release -- tells TMZ ... they went to court and successfully argued he should be released under the First Step Act, which President Trump signed into law last year.

Barnett, who co-founded the Buried Alive advocacy group for inmates like Jeffrey, says his "case epitomizes the catastrophic effect of 3 strikes." We're told he'll be released on Monday.

While Barnett did the lawyering, it appears Kim foot the bill. As she put it, "It gives me such joy to fund this life saving work."

As you know ... Kim's been dedicating much of her time to prison reform, helping Tennessee inmate Cyntoia Brown secure clemency, and playing a major role in freeing Alice Marie Johnson and Matthew Charles. She's even taken her cause to the Oval Office, meeting with President Trump ahead of Alice's release.

She's also studying hard to become a lawyer, and co-starring in her pal, Paris Hilton's music videos.

Busy woman.

Former 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star Dina Manzo and her husband are finally close to getting justice -- a man's been arrested for their violent home invasion.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... James Mainello, a 51-year-old male from New Jersey is in police custody and is facing multiple charges for his role in the May 2017 incident. We're told DNA evidence was key in nailing the suspect ... who cops believe was one of the 2 alleged burglars.

As we reported ... Dina and David Cantin were attacked as soon as they walked in the front door of their home. The suspects struck Dina in the face and head and bludgeoned David with a baseball bat.

The couple was then zip-tied while the perps ransacked the house ... making off with cash and jewelry.

Mainello's been hit with multiple robbery charges, a burglary charge, multiple assault charges, a theft charge and several others.

Dina and David's lawyer, Andrew Brettler, tells us everyone is extremely grateful to the New Jersey law enforcement authorities, "whose diligent investigation over the last two years culminated in today’s arrest."

TMZ Sports has obtained video of ex-Cincinnati Bengals RB Mark Walton's arrest earlier this year ... and it's wild -- showing the NFL player getting tased ... and getting up and running away!!

The former Miami Hurricanes star was arrested last month stemming from a March 12 incident where cops say he led them on a crazy high-speed chase in his rented BMW.

Cops say Walton -- a 4th-round draft pick last year out of the Univ. of Miami -- was speeding and weaving through traffic in the Miami area when he came to an abrupt stop in the front yard of somebody's home.

You can see in the video what happens next ... cops order the running back to the ground -- but he gets up and runs away.

While the officers are chasing him -- they hit him with a taser ... but he pulls out the prongs and keeps going!!!

Walton shockingly loses the cops ... but when the officers search his car ... they say they found weed, a carbine rifle and ammunition.

Walton later surrendered on April 4.

Walton -- who was cut by Cincinnati after the incident -- is now facing a felony and 3 misdemeanor charges ... and could spend at least 5 years behind bars if convicted.

It's the third time the running back has been arrested in the last few months -- he was busted for weed back in January, and was also hit with a battery charge after he allegedly snatched a phone from a neighbor at his condo in February.

Hayden Panettiere's boyfriend got hauled off to jail after their night out on the town turned violent at home ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the situation tell us ... the "Nashville" star and her BF, Brian Hickerson, were out drinking together in Hollywood Wednesday night before heading back to their pad. We're told the couple had an argument that turned physical and, at some point, cops were called ... it's unclear by whom.

Police showed up around 2 AM Thursday, and our sources say they noticed redness and marks on Hayden's body. After interviewing both of them, we're told they determined Hickerson allegedly started the fight, and arrested him.

Law enforcement sources tell us he was booked for felony domestic violence. He was released later Thursday after posting a $50k bond.

This isn't the first time Hickerson has been involved in a domestic dispute, but last time it was with his father.

We broke the story ... Brian and his dad, David, got into an altercation at a home in South Carolina in October. According to the police report, cops responded to a call for assault and battery, and when they showed up Hayden answered the door in an apparent drunk and frantic state.

About a month later, Hayden and Brian were spotted at a Hollywood hot spot ... and he caused a scene with a faux proposal.

The couple's been dating since sometime last summer, presumably around the time Hickerson "saved" Panettiere from swarming paparazzi.

12:01 PM PT -- Raz B has been officially released from custody.

Raz B is getting off clean, at least criminally, for that fight he got into with his girlfriend during the B2K reunion tour.

Raz B won't be charged for allegedly strangling his girlfriend during a heated argument outside a Macy's in Minneapolis. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office tells us after a thorough investigation ... they didn't feel there was enough evidence to successfully prosecute the singer.

The County Attorney's Office tells TMZ cops talked to Raz's girlfriend and witnesses, and analyzed surveillance video from the scene ... but didn't see sufficient evidence.

Case dropped.

TMZ broke the story ... Raz B was busted early Wednesday morning for domestic assault by strangulation. We're told the girlfriend told a family member about the altercation, and then someone called police.

Dispatch audio describing the alleged assault mentions a female being strangled by the ramp of a Macy's store.

Raz B's camp claimed his girlfriend attacked him, and he was just defending himself.

David Eason, Jenelle Evans husband, who allegedly killed their family dog with a shotgun, made it clear to a photog in court Friday ... stay clear of him, or else.

Eason was in a North Carolina courtroom because he owed $5,187 in back child support. He had a deadline of Friday to pay up or possibly be held in contempt and go to jail. He showed up empty-handed, but the judge gave him a reprieve ... to come up with the money in the next few hours.

Eason left court, and a photog/reporter for WSFX tried asking him about killing his dog, but he wasn't having it and warned, "Don't get in my face, bro. I promise you don't want to do that."

Eason came back a short time later and paid the money.

He owed the money to Olivia Leedham, the mother of his 5-year-old son. Leedham claimed back in 2013, when she was 8 months pregnant he shoved her and also left her in the middle of the road when she was 7 months pregnant.

As for the dog ... we're told he was irate after the French Bulldog nipped at his daughter after she got in the dog's face ... beat the animal, and then shot it to death.

YFN Lucci's not a lawyer, but he has some legal advice for fellow Atlanta rapper Offset on how to handle that felony arrest warrant.

We got YFN leaving Icebox Diamonds & Watches in the ATL Thursday -- says he just dropped $500k in there, and was NOT shy about showing off his bling ... or his whip.

When we brought up Offset's case -- for allegedly smashing a fan's $800 phone -- YFN said it's hard for him to relate because he always shows his fans love and respect. Watch the clip ... he ripped a page out of his own playbook and handed it to the Migos rapper.

Lucci makes it clear he doesn't think Offset deserves a felony warrant for a mere slap of a phone, but he still needs to rectify the situation. The fan told us he just wants Offset to pay for his broken phone and not be arrested ... so YFN might be on to something.

Stephen Jackson is giving some solid advice to D'Angelo Russell following his weed bust earlier this week ... telling the NBA star to keep his head up and be SMARTER with his pot moving forward.

As we previously reported ... DLo was cited for marijuana possession Wednesday at LaGuardia airport after TSA found a fake can of Arizona iced tea in his checked bag ... with green stashed away in a secret compartment.

Stack is now going to bat for Russell ... essentially saying it's NBD because ganja's practically legal everywhere now, but laws are laws and the young hooper can't be getting in trouble.

"Thinking bout @dloading stay strong kid," Jackson says. "They rather u take man made stuff so they can benefit."

Jackson added, "Gotta be smarter DLo but remember it’s a 'PLANT' not a drug. Facts. Do your homework."

FYI -- Jackson is a big marijuana advocate ... and has teamed up with fellow ex-NBA great Al Harrington's Viola cannabis company to share the benefits of weed as an alternative to prescription pills for pain relief.

Stack says although it's on its way to being legal everywhere, it's still a crime ... "It’s only a prob having it if u successful and black. It’s dam near legal."

David Eason doesn't just abuse and kill helpless animals -- he's also allegedly abused his baby mama and fell way behind on child support payments ... and if he hasn't paid by today he could end up in jail.

Eason is currently under criminal investigation for animal cruelty. As we reported, earlier this week he savagely beat and then shot his French Bulldog which barely nipped at his 2-year-old daughter's face. The nip was so minor it didn't draw blood or even puncture the skin. We're told David repeatedly slammed the dog on the back porch before taking it to the backyard and killing it with a shotgun.

But, his troubles don't end there. Eason briefly dated a woman named Olivia Leedham in 2013 and the two had a son together. Leedham went to court, claiming Eason shoved her when she was 8 months pregnant and left her in the middle of the road at night when she was 7 months pregnant.

The two have been in a nasty custody battle for years ... and we've learned he's fallen thousands of dollars behind in child support. His deadline for paying it is today, and if he hasn't anted up he could end up in jail.

Animal Control officers were unable to talk with Eason during their visit Thursday because the family's pit bull was on his front porch and "No Trespassing" signs were posted on the property. Animal Control officers didn't feel it was safe to enter so they asked the Sheriff's Department to figure out the next move.

Usher's put that $20 million herpes lawsuit with Laura Helm behind him -- the case has been dismissed again, but this time it looks like they reached a settlement.

According to court docs, Laura filed to dismiss her suit earlier this week because she and Usher have "reached an amicable resolution." As to how much that resolution cost Usher -- neither side will say.

We reached out to attorneys for both sides, and they would only repeat that word ... "amicable." The dismissal was filed with prejudice ... meaning it can't be refiled, and that's typically done when there's been a financial settlement.

You'll recall, Helm sued the singer back in 2017 ... claiming he had exposed her to the virus when they had unprotected sex. She initially sued for $10 million, then upped it to $20 mil for emotional harm and punitive damages.

Kodak Black's trying hard to get back in karma's good graces ... by doling out cash for kids in need.

We're told the rapper heard about a teen's quest to get a notebook in the hands of all 7,600 students in the Cleburne Independent School District in Texas. 14-year-old Paige Cook had a successful first campaign last year ... collecting 40k pencils.

Paige's mom, Angel, tells TMZ ... her daughter upped her game this year with the notebooks AND 60k pencils. But, with such an ambitious goal, it was clear she was gonna need some help. Enter, Kodak.

Bradford Cohen, Kodak's attorney, tells us the rapper picked up the tab -- a cool $12,500 -- for the notebooks. The items will benefit a school district where a majority of its students come from low-income communities.

Kodak's no stranger to taking on a good cause ... he's played Santa before and donated cash for early childhood education. At the time, he said he was focused on making a positive impact.

Offset was minding his own business when he was accosted by a guy who's now trying to get famous and score a big payday ... according to the rapper's lawyer.

Drew Findling tells TMZ ... the warrant issued for Offset's arrest for allegedly damaging a fan's phone is "disgraceful and should be dismissed immediately," because he says the whole case is a load of baloney.

Findling says the incident went down while Offset was "simply trying to buy some items for youngest child" at Target. Offset's lawyer points out the guy whose phone was allegedly shattered, Junior Gibbons, waited 4 days to file a police report, and "this so called victim, instead took to social media for an extended 15 minutes of fame."

He adds, there's been no investigation and no evidence to show Offset caused the damage to Gibbons's phone.

We broke the story ... a felony arrest warrant was issued Thursday for the phone smacking incident. Gibbons claims after Offset slapped it out of his hand, it fell to the ground and shattered.

Gibbons tells us his main objective in filing the police report was simply to have Offset pay to replace the broken phone -- and he doesn't want him arrested.

Todd Chrisley is urging Jenelle Evans to get herself and her daughter the hell away from David Eason in the wake of him killing the family dog ... because he's convinced the guy will snap again.

We got the star of "Chrisley Knows Best" Thursday at LAX, and he went off on Jenelle's husband. Todd has some extra sympathy in this situation because he also owns a French bulldog named, Lilo. Not surprisingly, he called the slaying disgusting ... and insists Eason needs professional help.

Todd says his Frenchie is also around kids -- primarily his 6-year-old granddaughter, Chloe -- and suggests better parenting might have prevented the heinous act in Jenelle's home.

As we've reported ... Eason shot and killed Jenelle's French bulldog, Nugget, because it nipped at their daughter, Ensley.

Animal control wants to know exactly what happened to Nugget and where the body is -- but Todd firmly believes there's enough evidence that Eason poses a great danger to his family. He suggests Jenelle get out while the getting's good.

The same guy the FBI arrested for making death threats against conservative host Ben Shapiro also had his sights set on Jared Kushner and Donald Trump Jr. ... according to the feds, who say he was also building up an arsenal.

According to new legal docs ... the FBI arrested Chase Bliss Colasurdo Wednesday in Washington state after an investigation uncovered multiple serious death threats directed at President Trump's family members.

Authorities were tipped off in March about Colasurdo's alarming social media posts, in which he targeted Kushner and Trump Jr. by name. In February, he also sent an email to 5 different media outlets saying ... "I'm going to personally Execute [Kushner] for his countless treasonous crimes."

Around the same time, he posted a photo on Instagram of what appears to be himself holding a gun and captioned it ... "I made a death threat against [Kushner] yesterday and I have not been arrested yet."

As for Donald Jr. ... Colasurdo posted a photo of him in March and commented ... "I would just like to let the secret service know that I am going to Execute this fa***t."

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, FBI and Secret Service agents visited Colasurdo on March 19, and he claimed he'd been hacked -- but also stated he was diagnosed with mental health issues years ago.

The feds say his online rantings continued ... in fact, the very next week Colasurdo posted a pic of himself holding a handgun with the caption, "It's Time To Start Bombing Synagogues." He later made reference, in one of his posts, to the San Diego synagogue shooting.

Prosecutors say the FBI noticed in early April, Colasurdo was loading up on weapons, Kevlar body armor and ammo. The feds say after they arrested him on Wednesday ... they searched Colasurdo's home and found a massive cache which included night vision goggles, gas masks, 345 rounds of ammunition and LED laser mounts.

In addition to the gear, agents say they found Nazi flags, a framed portrait of Hitler and books that included, "Hitler's Revolution."

As we reported, law enforcement says Colasurdo also made death threats against Shapiro and his family.