Rapper Snoop Dogg was charged yesterday (Nov. 2) with carrying a dangerous weapon — an illegal collapsible baton — at John Wayne International Airport in Santa Ana, Calif. The Orange County district attorney filed a lone count of felony possession of a deadly weapon against the rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus.
If convicted, the 35-year-old rapper could be sentenced to three years in prison. A warrant, with bail set at $150,000, was issued for his arrest, prosecutors said.
“These charges are bogus. The DA knows that, Snoop knows that. If this goes to trial, we will win,” the rapper’s lawyer Donald Etra said.
On Sept. 27, 2006, the entertainer arrived at John Wayne Airport with two bodyguards to catch a flight to San Francisco. Security officers scanning his carry-on luggage spotted a long object in his computer bag and asked to search inside, where a collapsible baton was found.
Deputy District Attorney Andre Manssourian said the weapon is dangerous and illegal. The rapper told deputies at the time of his arrest that the baton was a prop for a movie.
On Oct. 26 in Burbank, the rapper’s airport problems were compounded when he was arrested at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank for investigation of illegal drug and gun possession. He posted $35,000 bail and was ordered to appear in court Dec. 12.
In that incident, airport police officers stopped Broadus at a loading zone for a vehicle code violation. When officers searched the vehicle they found a gun and marijuana, authorities said.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
