TMZ.com

Azriel Clary -- one of R. Kelly's former girlfriends -- remains steadfast in testifying against him in his federal sex crimes case ... despite what her family describes as attempts to scare her away from going through with it.

Azriel's father, Angelo, tells TMZ ... nobody's forcing his daughter to testify -- it's her decision based on her belief that what Kelly did to her and others is wrong, and she wants to do it for the sake of justice and to show what a monster he truly is.

Problem is, this apparently doesn't sit well with many of the singer's fans. We're told Azriel and her family are the frequent targets of online threats and attacks ... including people posting their contact info and even harassing them at work.

Even scarier ... Azriel's car was set on fire last year, and just months ago a man pled guilty in the case.

For all these reasons and more ... Angelo says his daughter's stress level is high as she prepares for her testimony, but he's adamant Azriel will not back down.

We broke the story ... in early 2020 -- after a falling out with Kelly's other girlfriend at the time, Joycelyn Savage -- Azriel fully removed herself from Kelly's corner and began working with the feds against him.

Now, the time is almost here for her to take the stand, and we're told Azriel's looking forward to showing her strength and telling her truth ... with Kelly watching.

Nicki Minaj's husband, Kenneth Petty, says having his name on New York's Sex Offender Registry has caused him a lot of problems, and the worst part is he never got his day in court to challenge it ... according to new legal docs.

Petty's suing the State of New York and its Criminal Justice Services division to have his name removed from the sex offender's registry, because he claims he never got notice of a hearing about it back in October 2004 while he was incarcerated.

According to the legal docs, obtained by TMZ ... the hearing offered an opportunity to challenge the risk level assigned to him -- he was categorized as a level 2 sex offender at the time -- but problem is, Petty claims he never actually got notice of it.

Petty claims the notice of the hearing was sent to an address where he didn't live -- because he was in prison at the time -- and alleges the "Kenny Petty" signature on the bottom is a forgery.

Petty claims whoever did it also answered that he would not be attending the hearing. So, according to the new suit, Petty claims he never got his constitutional right to due process to challenge the risk level assigned to him.

If you're thinking of freaking out on a plane, hope you're flush with cash, because freak-outs don't come cheap. Some off-the-rails passengers have been fined and the total is now more than a million bucks.

The FAA just hit a milestone (a bad one) in the total amount of penalties they've dished out thus far in 2021 ... there have been 3,889 reports of unruly behavior this year, and many of these ridiculous passengers have been socked with huge fines.

Most of the in-flight eruptions involve disputes over mask-wearing. There are also a bunch of alcohol-related disturbances. For example ...

-- A JetBlue passenger was fined $45,000 for throwing objects, including his carry-on at other passengers, lying on the aisle floor, and then grabbing a flight attendant by the ankles and putting his head up her skirt.

-- A Frontier Airlines passenger was socked with a $30,000 fine after trying to gain entry to the cockpit by assaulting 2 flight attendants, threatening to kill one of them, and demanding they open the door.

-- A JetBlue passenger was fined $17,530 for failing to comply with the mask mandate, vaping on the plane and drinking alcohol not served by the airline.

-- An Allegiant Airlines passenger was fined $10,500 for refusing to wear a face mask and then urinating on the bathroom floor, which leaked into the galley.

Turns out a lot of these passengers got dinged for bringing alcohol on board -- which is a no-no -- and then getting belligerent.

The fines we were provided are all hefty -- starting at $7,500. On top of that, some passengers have been charged with crimes.

It's gotten so bad, flight attendants are now duct-taping out-of-control passengers to their seats.

Alexandra Paul -- known for playing Lt. Stephanie Holden on the OG "Baywatch" -- claims she's being harassed by a woman she's had beef with for a decade ... and now the woman's allegedly targeting Alexandra's husband too.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ ... Alexandra says the woman, Nicole Albrecht, is from Germany, and first showed up at her house in late 2011 and has been harassing her ever since.

Alexandra's theory is Albrecht knows her because "Baywatch" was uber popular in Germany. She claims the woman now has it out for her husband, Ian, because she thinks he's keeping her from being with Alexandra.

According to the docs ... things came to a head on July 4, when Albrecht allegedly parked near Alexandra and Ian's property and her husband tried to get a photo of her license plate.

Paul claims Albrecht then "turned on her car and hit him with it and fled the scene." She says they contacted the LAPD threat management unit.

Before this incident, Paul claims Albrecht also confronted her in a grocery store parking lot in May and tried to get in her car, but fled when Alexandra called cops.

Since the July 4 incident, Paul claims Albrecht's been sending her husband a bunch of emails "showing her paranoia and hatred of him." Even more disturbing, Alexandra claims Albrecht is orchestrating an online harassment and defamation campaign accusing Ian of being a pedophile with absolutely no basis.

Alexandra says they fear things will get worse, and the court's siding with her for now -- a judge granted her and Ian a temporary restraining order requiring Albrecht to stay 100 yards away and stop all contact with them.

Sam Hunt cut a plea deal in his DUI case ... and while his sentence includes a 48-hour jail stint, we're told it won't actually be behind bars.

The country star appeared in Nashville court via Zoom Wednesday and pled guilty to 2 counts of DUI. He was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in jail ... but he won't have to serve it he stays out of trouble.

As for the 48 hours ... he'll fulfill that by taking a DUI education course.

Sam must also complete an alcohol safety course. His driver's license will be suspended for 1 year. When he gets the license back, he'll have an interlock device installed in his car.

BTW ... the third charge, an open container violation, was dropped.

As we reported ... Sam was busted in November 2019 after cops say he was driving on the wrong side on a Nashville road. Cops said he reeked of booze and blew twice the legal limit .. .173.

Cops said he was so wasted when they asked him for his driver's license he struggled to find it ... even though it was sitting right on his lap. Cops said Sam mistakenly gave them a credit card and his passport.

YK Osiris has something in common with Trippie Redd -- the singer will also avoid prosecution for an alleged assault case in Atlanta.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the Fulton County D.A.'s Office says even though Atlanta PD had probable cause to arrest Osiris in November 2019 ... the D.A. has decided NOT to prosecute at this time.

We've reached out to prosecutors to find out why they're not moving forward. If this all sounds familiar it's because the Fulton County D.A.'s office also decided this week not to pursue Trippie Redd's case.

As we reported ... the "Worth It" singer was arrested after he allegedly beat up his GF at his birthday party in September 2019. At the time ... we were told he was busted in Atlanta on a felony charge of aggravated assault by strangulation.

According to the police report ... the singer's GF told cops he had choked her and bit her face.

Bhad Bhabie's got beef ... but it's not with another rapper. It's with Airbnb.

The "Gucci Flip Flops" rapper is pissed off at the vacation rental company to the point she's threatening to file a lawsuit. Her problem? BB's pissed Airbnb will let an 18-year-old like her sign up for an account on the site but NOT let her book a rental.

She posted a series of messages Tuesday morning on her Instagram Story, which have since been deleted, lashing out at Airbnb. In one story she wrote, "F*** @airbnb ya’ll are weird asf not renting to me Bc I’m 18 FYI I’ve never thrown a party in my life believe it or not . Ya’ll will b hearing from my lawyer bitches."

In a separate Story, she asked, "Why am I able to sign up then???" Good question. But, Airbnb sources say it's nothing personal. They also point to Airbnb's age requirements policy.

The policy strictly says that "in some locations, people under age 25 with fewer than 3 positive reviews can't book entire home listings within their local areas" but "they can still book nearby private rooms and hotel rooms. Outside the local area, they can book any type of listing."

"American Idol" finalist Syesha Mercado broke down in tears describing how she's been missing out on precious moments with her babies since child protective services took them from her.

Syesha held a news conference Tuesday to explain how she's been deprived of holding and feeding her newborn daughter, Ast ... while also missing her toddler son, Amen'Ra, who was put in foster care back in March. Syesha said she's also upset about her kids not getting to meet.

She was joined by the babies' father, Tyron Deener, who said they are law-abiding citizens who live a life of service and can't understand why someone with no criminal background is being hounded by the police.

As we reported ... Syesha sobbed as she reluctantly handed over Ast to Manatee County Sheriff's deputies last week in Florida. The department has since said they picked up the baby by order of a family court judge.

Amen'Ra was taken from her following a hospital visit where a doctor claimed the boy was malnourished. Last week, deputies told Syesha and Tyron they were taking Ast because they didn't tell authorities she'd given birth during their ongoing legal battle for their son.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has now gotten involved in Syesha's case ... calling out the deputies for making a spectacle out of a Black family and "publicly dehumanizing them." He vows to help Syesha and Tyron get their kids back.

Rapper Trippie Redd can breathe a sigh of relief ... we’ve learned he won't be prosecuted in his assault case..

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the Fulton County D.A.'s Office says even though Atlanta PD had probable cause to arrest the rapper -- way back in 2018, BTW -- prosecutors have decided NOT to prosecute Trippie at this time.

We've reached out to the D.A.'s Office to find out why they came to this decision. In any event ... Trippie's attorney, Drew Findling, is thrilled about the decision. He tells TMZ ... his law firm has worked tirelessly for over 3 years to prove the rapper was innocent of the aggravated assault allegation.

Findling says Trippie is now looking forward to the release of his new album -- "Trip At Knight." Gotta love it when your lawyer doubles as a hype man.

Halle Berry is getting dragged into the legal ring by a former UFC fighter ... Cat Zingano is suing, claiming Halle offered her a movie role but was ultimately snubbed.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Cat claims she met with Halle back in July, 2019 to talk about a movie HB was directing, "Bruised," and says Halle told her she was perfect for the project.

Cat claims Halle told her to keep her schedule clear because film production was on the horizon, but she says the UFC came calling soon thereafter with a big fight offer.

In the docs, Cat claims she talked to Halle about the fight offer and claims Halle advised she pass on the fight if she wanted to be in the film, citing liability concerns from the movie's insurer.

Cat claims she agonized over the decision -- the movie versus the big fight -- and says she ultimately turned down the fight.  She says the UFC then released her from her contract.

According to the suit, Cat claims she looped Halle in on her decision not to fight and her subsequent release from the UFC, and says she was shocked and dismayed when Halle told her she could no longer be involved in the movie because she was no longer fighting in the UFC. She claims she was told the movie could only work with UFC fighters.

Cat -- who's currently a Bellator fighter -- claims Halle has cut off all communications from her. She's suing for damages, claiming she relied on Halle’s promise and ended up getting screwed.

Bob Dylan allegedly groomed a 12-year-old girl for sex and sexually abused her in his New York City pad back in 1965 when she was underage ... this according to a new lawsuit.

The "Like A Rolling Stone" singer is being sued by a woman who currently lives in Connecticut, who claims he plied her with booze and drugs before sexually abusing her inside his swanky Chelsea Hotel apartment way back in the day.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Dylan's accuser claims she was only 12 years old when he started grooming her for sex, using his celebrity to gain her trust and exert control over her as part of a plan to sexually abuse and molest her.

In the docs, Dylan's accuser claims he abused her on multiple occasions back in April and May of 1965, lowering her inhibitions by establishing an emotional connection and plying her with alcohol and drugs, as well as threatening her with physical violence in order to sexually abuse her.

The woman claims the alleged abuse left her emotionally scarred and psychologically damaged ... more than 56 years after the alleged incidents. In the docs, she says she's suffered from depression, anxiety and humiliation as a result of the alleged abuse.

She's suing Dylan for battery, assault, infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment ... and she's going after him for damages.

Silento now stands accused of murder -- a Georgia grand jury indicted him in the shooting death of his cousin ... TMZ has learned.

According to new legal docs ... the grand jury hit the "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" rapper with 4 felony charges, including one count of malice murder and one count of felony murder.

He's was also charged with aggravated assault and gun possession during the commission of a felony.

As we reported ... cops arrested Silento in early February for allegedly murdering Frederick Rooks after an investigation into the man's death. Rooks, the rapper's cousin, was shot to death in the street on Jan. 21, and cops in DeKalb County linked Silento to the crime.

Silento's team claims he's been suffering from various mental health issues for several years.

Jake Paul's not out of the woods yet for roaming an Arizona mall as it was being looted by George Floyd protestors ... the feds declined to prosecute him, but local authorities still hit him with charges.

Reps for the City of Scottsdale tell TMZ ... now that the feds are passing on pursuing federal charges after their own investigation, the city has decided to refile charges against Jake.

Remember, Jake was initially busted and charged with 2 criminal misdemeanors -- criminal trespass and unlawful assembly -- but the City Attorney dropped the case when the feds launched its own investigation. The City had the option of refiling.

That's exactly what happened ... sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, the City Attorney learned back in May the feds had completed their investigation and decided not to file charges. At that point, the City Attorney re-filed the misdemeanor case against Jake.

TMZ broke the story ... the feds say they didn't find enough evidence to pursue federal charges against Jake for his conduct in the Scottsdale shopping center days after Floyd's murder.

Remember ... video shows Jake inside the mall as it's being looted on May 30, 2020 and he was busted by Scottsdale Police. The feds eventually stepped in and launched an investigation, which included FBI raids at his home in Calabasas and the famous Graffiti Mansion in Las Vegas.

Bottom line ... Jake's off the hook with the feds, but he still has to deal with a couple of charges in Arizona. He's due in court after Labor Day.

Kelly Clarkson is fresh off a huge victory in her bitter divorce case, and sources tell TMZ she now wants to go full steam ahead to sell the Montana ranch which she owns, but there's a fly in the ointment -- aka, her estranged husband.

TMZ broke the story ... the judge ruled the prenup Kelly signed with husband Brandon Blackstock is valid. Brandon fought hard in the trial, but the judge upheld the prenup, which essentially says what she earned and acquired during the marriage is solely hers, and what he earned and acquired is solely his.

Kelly, who rakes in $1.5 mil a month to Brandon's $10k a month, bought the ranch ... so it's hers to do with what she wants. And, we know she wants to sell. Kelly's lawyer, disso queen Laura Wasser, filed docs a while back asking the judge for permission to sell the ranch, but Brandon's lawyers objected, saying any sale would be premature since there was no ruling on the prenup.

Well, now there IS a prenup ruling, so Brandon has no ownership interest and Kelly wants to sell.

Now, the fly in the ointment. Brandon is still ensconced in the Montana property, and that could make it hard to sell. A realtor may have real trouble selling if Brandon doesn't make showings available.

The next logical step would be for Kelly to go back to court and set the ground rules for selling the ranch -- e.g., how often it can be shown, how much advance notice should Brandon receive, etc. Another option on the table would be for a judge to order Brandon to move.

This video shows former "American Idol" finalist Syesha Mercado absolutely beside herself, in tears, as law enforcement takes her newborn baby following a child protective services investigation ... and the video is stirring outrage.

Syesha sobbed as she reluctantly handed over her baby daughter to Manatee County Sheriff's deputies Wednesday in Florida. Cops insisted she surrender the child during a welfare check.

You see Syesha begging the deputies not to take her baby ... then pumping breast milk into a bottle to send off with her daughter, who was eventually taken away in the back of a SUV.

The newborn is reportedly the second child authorities have taken from Syesha this year. Her toddler son was placed in foster care following a hospital visit where a doctor sounded an alarm, claiming the boy was malnourished.

In this video, Syesha asks law enforcement why they're taking her baby girl, and she's told it's because she didn't tell authorities she'd given birth while the legal battle for custody of her son was ongoing.

Syesha insists her newborn is happy and healthy, claiming she has all the paperwork to keep the kid, and saying cops should have contacted her attorney -- but in the end, she lost custody.

The emotional video is sparking outrage online, with some folks accusing authorities of racism.

Tory Lanez's surprise appearance at Rolling Loud better have been worth it for him, because it's landed him in hot water with prosecutors who are now going after him in court, claiming he violated a court order to stay away from Megan Thee Stallion.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... prosecutors have filed a motion to hold Lanez in contempt for violating the restraining order that was issued in his ongoing criminal case.

You'll recall, Lanez was charged with felony assault for allegedly shooting Megan in the foot last summer. The restraining order requires him to stay clear of Megan.

We're told the prosecutors believe Tory's guest appearance during DaBaby's controversial set at the Miami hip-hop festival last month violated the judge's order, because he got within 100 yards of her.

Our sources say prosecutors have filed legal docs asking the judge to either revoke Tory's bail -- which could land him in jail pending trial -- or at the very least increase his bail.

And, our sources also say prosecutors believe Tory and DaBaby attempted to rush the stage while Megan was performing.

A source close to Tory told us he never saw Meg at the festival nor did he ever get physically close to her.