DMX imprisoned as flight risk after positive drug test
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rapper DMX, whose given name is Earl Simmons, poses for a photo outside federal court in New York on Aug. 11. DMX, who prosecutors say owes $1.7 million in taxes, was ordered confined to his suburban New York City home Friday by a judge who said he repeatedly violated bail conditions on the tax fraud charges.
NEW YORK >> DMX has been sent to prison by a judge who says the rapper repeatedly lied to him when he promised to obey bail conditions.
Judge Jed Rakoff sent the rapper also known as Earl Simmons to prison today to await his March sentencing on a tax evasion charge.
Rakoff called DMX a genuine flight risk.
Defense lawyer Murray Richman says Simmons took drugs to cope with the hospitalization of his year-old daughter for several days this month. She had a 104-degree fever.
Richman says Simmons left a drug rehabilitation center in the Northeast to see his daughter in New York City.
The judge says Simmons tested positive last week for cocaine, opiates and Oxycodone.
Prosecutors had requested he be jailed. He was led from court in handcuffs.
Simmons is currently scheduled to perform at The Republik in Honolulu on March 3. There was no immediate word from promoters or the venue regarding the status of the show.
