By Niki D’Andrea
The legal woes continue for DMX, Phoenix’s most illustrious rap star/resident. As reported by The Associated Press, the 37 year-old rapper was arrested at Phoenix’s Metrocenter Mall on Saturday on suspicion of providing a false name (“Troy Jones”) and a fake Social Security number to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale back in April, allegedly to avoid paying $7500 in medical bills.
A collection of some of DMX's many mug shots over the years.
This is just the latest in a string of transgressions that have landed DMX (whose real name is Earl Simmons) behind bars. He’s currently being held at the Towers Jail, where he’s being kept in isolation on $60,000 bond. Cameron Morgan, DMX’s Scottsdale-based attorney, refused to comment on the case, but Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was more than happy to throw his two cents in, telling The Associated Press, “I don't know why judges keep letting this guy out. Every time he goes in there, he gets out on bond…I'm hoping this is the one time he's going to pay the penalty for his offense." Arpaio added that DMX was being held separately from the general population, as other inmates “may not like his music.”
Arpaio’s observation may be construed as either astute or asinine, but one thing’s for certain: DMX has been racking up more charges than any other hip-hop star. Here’s a massive (but still incomplete) timeline of DMX’s troubles:
1994: DMX is arrested and convicted of drug possession.
June 18, 1998: DMX is arrested and accused of raping a stripper in the Bronx, but is later cleared by DNA evidence.
1999: DMX is arrested in Denver in connection with a stabbing, but is later cleared of any charges.
May 13, 1999: DMX is arrested and charged with assaulting a man in Yonkers, New York. The charges are later dropped.
June 20, 1999: DMX is arrested at his home in Teaneck, New Jersey, after police find a gun and drug paraphernelia in his home. DMX pleads guilty and pays several fines.
March, 2000: DMX is arrested after a concert in Buffalo, New York, and charged with driving without a license, failure to notify the DMV of an address change, failure to signal, and possession of marijuana. He fails to appear for his March 21 court date, but later turns himself in and pleads guilty to lesser charges.
2002: DMX pleads guilty to animal cruelty after 13 mistreated pitbulls are found in his New Jersey home.
June, 2003: DMX is arrested for using profane language at a performance in the Carribean, and is released on $376 bail.
June, 2004: DMX is arrested at JFK International Airport in New York and charged with impersonating a federal agent, possession of cocaine, possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and attempted carjacking. DMX pleads guilty and again pays several fines, along with serving a 70-day sentence.
May, 2006: DMX is arrested at London’s Heathrow Airport for refusing to wear his seatbelt on an incoming American Airlines flight. He is cited and released.
February 2, 2007: After running a red light, DMX is arrested in Yonkers, New York for driving on an expired license. He’s released on bond but fails to show up for his initial court date.
August 24, 2007: The Maricopa County Sheriff’s office raids DMX’s Cave Creek home. They find 12 pitbulls in bad condition and three others already dead. They also discover a cache of weapons. DMX is not on the premises during the raid, and is not immediately charged with anything.
May 6, 2008: On January 21, traffic cameras filmed DMX driving his 1966 Chevy Nova II in speeds in excess of 100 mph on the Loop 101 in Scottsdale. DMX is arrested and charged with reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangerment, three counts of criminal speeding, racing on a freeway, and driving on a suspended license.
May 9, 2008: After an investigation stemming from the initial 2007 MCSO raid on his home, DMX is arrested and charged with seven misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and four felony drug possessions. A warrant search uncovers more weapons, drugs, and neglected pitbull puppies. DMX attempts to barricade himself inside his home, but is eventually talked into surrendering peacefully to police.
June 23, 2008: DMX is arrested in Miami on a warrant for not having a valid driver’s license.
June 27, 2008: DMX is arrested in Miami again, this time for attempting to purchase cocaine and marijuana.
July 2, 2008: Arriving from Miami, DMX is arrested at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport for failing to appear in court for the charges leveled on May 9.
July 19, 2008: DMX is arrested at MetroCenter Mall in Phoenix for presenting the Mayo Clinic with false information to allegedly avoid paying medical bills.
