Arrests

Ed Buck, the California Democrat megadonor accused of running a drug den, showed his face in court Thursday, the first time he's been seen since being busted on felony charges.

Ed appeared in court for the first time Thursday, wearing a blue jumpsuit, but he did not enter a plea. Buck is charged with 3 felony counts -- battery causing serious injury, administering methamphetamine and maintaining a drug house.

Before Buck's court appearance, the last time he was seen in public came when he was slumped in the back of a cop car and hauled away from his West Hollywood home during Tuesday's arrest, which occurred after another person OD'd at Buck's apartment.

As we've reported ... Prosecutors claim Buck injected a man with meth at his residence last week, causing a nonfatal overdose. Prosecutors also allege Buck wields his power to manipulate victims to participate in his sexual fetishes, often by administering them narcotics.

Buck's arrest came after months of public scrutiny, following two men's fatal overdoses inside his home. The men died 18 months apart, the first in July 2017 and the second in January 2019.

Ed's arraignment has been continued to next month.

Ed Buck -- a California Democratic megadonor -- has been arrested and charged with operating a drug house after yet another person OD'd at his apartment ... fortunately this one survived.

TMZ's obtained video of Buck slumped over in the back of a cop car as he's hauled away from his West Hollywood home ... as cops and crime lab investigators made their way into his place.

Buck's accused of injecting a man with methamphetamine at his residence last week, causing a nonfatal overdose ... according to the L.A. County D.A.'s Office.

He's facing 3 felony counts -- battery causing serious injury, administering methamphetamine and maintaining a drug house. He's set to be arraigned Wednesday.

Buck's arrest comes after months of public scrutiny following the deaths of 2 men inside his apartment. Both men died from overdoses, 18 months apart, the first in July 2017 and the second in January.

Their deaths were found to be accidental methamphetamine overdoses. Though Buck wasn't charged in either incident, the mother of the first victim has filed a wrongful death suit against him.

Prosecutors reportedly allege in court docs that Buck uses his power to manipulate victims to participate in his sexual fetishes ... including injecting them with narcotics.

Prosecutors want bail set at $4 mil.

Renee Alway -- a finalist on cycle 8 of "America's Next Top Model" -- was arrested for domestic violence just over a year after she was released from prison.

The former model was busted by cops in Palm Springs, CA this past week on a laundry list of felony charges. According to her inmate profile, Renee was booked for assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm), 2 counts of infliction of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, terrorist threats, a prior felony conviction, and a violation of parole.

In case you'd forgotten ... Renee was released from custody in August of 2018 after having served 5 years of a 12-year prison sentence in California.

That prison sentence was from her June 2013 arrest, when she got into a 6-hour standoff with police after being spotted wandering around a vacant home while carrying a gun.

That became at least her fourth arrest that year, and it resulted in a gnarly mug shot, and later ... a shaved head in court. Renee's 'ANTM' season aired way back in 2007 -- she ended up placing 3rd behind Jaslene Gonzalez and Natasha Galkina, respectively.

Mama June has been indicted by a grand jury on a charge of felony drug possession stemming from her arrest earlier this year ... TMZ has confirmed.

The charge relates to the bust at an Alabama gas station, in which cops say she was in possession of crack cocaine and a glass pipe. As we reported, her boyfriend, Geno, was also arrested on drug charges ... as well as domestic violence.

The grand jury also hit June with a misdemeanor charge for paraphernalia ... her boyfriend is facing the same charges.

Mama June was not at the Alabama courthouse Friday, but her sister was with a camera crew. We're told she hoped to stage an intervention with June ... but to no avail.

As we've reported ... Mama's life has seemingly gone off the rails in the recent months. Since her March arrest ... Honey Boo Boo and the rest of the fam already had one intervention for her and begged her to go to rehab.

She didn't, and has continued to stick with Geno. June and Geno held a bizarre garage sale and gutted her Georgia home before selling it and taking off for life on the road ... in an RV.

R. Kelly has another big legal problem -- a Minnesota judge just issued a bench warrant for his arrest because he was a no-show Thursday for a hearing, but this time it's not the singer's fault ... it's because he had no choice.

Kelly's hearing was set for 1:30 PM at the Hennepin County Court Thursday. He's facing 2 charges -- engaging in prostitution with someone under 18, and hiring/offering/agreeing to hire someone for sexual contact.

The problem -- Kelly's incarcerated at the MCC Chicago prison on federal sex crimes.

The Minnesota D.A.'s Office tells TMZ ... prosecutors there are aware the federal authorities in the Northern District of Illinois are unwilling to give them access to Kelly until his federal case is resolved.

Still, the bench warrant was issued. At a point, how many times can you be jailed, right? When you're in once, you're in.

Tekashi 6ix9ine will be testifying in front of pretty much everyone except those to whom he's closest -- his family -- because we've learned they're so scared of retaliation, they won't go near the courtroom.

The rapper's immediate family members have decided it's just too risky for them to show their faces when a trial begins for the two men who allegedly had a role in his kidnapping last year. The reason is simple ... Tekashi will be snitching, and they know what happens to snitches.

The fam is especially concerned about members of the Nine Trey Bloods, some of whom will be attending the trial.

We're told his family thinks, at the very least, they'd be harassed, but more likely followed back to their home ... or even outright attacked by Nine Trey members.

Remember, Tekashi was already scared for his family's lives -- despite hiring extra security to guard them -- and it looks like he's following through on that concern now that the day is right around the corner.

As we reported ... prosecutors laid out what Tekashi's going to say on the stand next week, when he'll supposedly name names, connect people to certain incriminating messages ... and implicate himself and other Nine Trey Bloods to a plot on hurting rival rapper Casanova.

Presumably, he'll also get into detail about how he was bankrolling his fellow gang members -- something prosecutors revealed in court docs.

There's obviously a lot on the line ... and Tekashi wants to protect his brood. So, he's going in solo come crunch time.

Bruce Beresford-Redman -- the ex-producer on 'Survivor' -- who was convicted for murdering his wife in Mexico, has been released early ... just 4 years into a 12-year sentence.

Beresford-Redman was released two months ago from the Quintana Roo jail in Mexico, and is reportedly already back home in his Southern California home. He was found guilty of murdering his wife, Monica Burgos Beresford-Redman, while they were on a 2010 vacation with their kids in Cancun.

Monica's body was discovered in a sewer, and authorities found she'd died by suffocation and had suffered bruising on her face and head. Beresford-Redman had gone home to California, but was eventually extradited to Mexico in 2012, and convicted for Monica's murder in 2015.

Now, just 4 years into his sentence, he's a free man again. His attorney told KNBC-TV, Mexican prisoners are eligible for release after they complete 60 percent of their sentence.

It appears Beresford-Redman was given credit for time served before his conviction -- which amounts to 7 and a half years -- because 4 years definitely ain't 60 percent of his 12-year sentence.

Bruce also produced shows like "Pimp My Ride," "The Contender," "The Restaurant" and "Breakthrough with Tony Robbins."

Prosecutors have just played their hand in the Tekashi 6ix9ine snitching case ... laying out precisely how the rapper will turn on his former gang cohorts when their trial begins next week, and the details are pretty shocking.

The U.S. Attorney in Manhattan sent a letter to the judge in the case, outlining their strategy, which includes key testimony from the rapper who's behind bars after striking a plea deal ... and the key to unlock his cell is snitching on his partners in crime.

According to prosecutors, Tekashi is expected to testify and name names in various alleged crimes, including the July 2018 robbery and kidnapping of Tekashi himself.

The big thing ... he will identify which Nine Trey Blood members are attached to various aliases used in incriminating texts, social media posts, DMs, and other communications. This is critical evidence for prosecutors, since they have to prove the messages were sent by the various defendants.

According to the letter, Tekashi will implicate himself and other gang members in a conspiracy to harm a rapper -- Casanova -- who wrote lyrics they felt were critical of 6ix9ine.

He will also testify ... another member of Nine Trey -- SEQO -- sent out a message if any rival bloods were to come across Tekashi they were to "fire on him."

What's also interesting ... the letter essentially says Tekashi was the bank for the gang ... one of his roles was to make money for the gang and then distribute it among members. Our sources say lots of friction was created when Tekashi turned off the cash spigot. Our sources say that's why the kidnapping/robbery went down ... as retaliation.

As we reported, Tekashi faced a minimum of 47 years in prison, but he could now get out in a matter of years in return for his full cooperation. It's all but certain he would become a member of the witness protection program, but that may be problematic given his distinctive tattoos.

Bam Margera's drama following a bizarre hotel lobby incident just went up another notch ... he's been charged with trespassing and is now in danger of having his probation revoked.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... the 'Jackass' star has been charged with 1 count of misdemeanor trespassing following his arrest last month at the Luxe Hotel on Sunset. What's more ... prosecutors are now moving to have Bam's probation revoked following the arrest.

The probation stems from his DUI case last year. At the time, he pled no contest and was sentenced to 3 years probation.

We broke the story ... Bam was placed under citizen's arrest after refusing to leave the Luxe Hotel ... plopping down in the middle of the lobby in a childishly stubborn standoff with a police officer.

The cop -- who told Bam she had backup on the way -- told the reality star, "This is not a f**king reality TV show. I know you're fresh out of rehab, so let's get your s**t together."

As we reported ... Bam had been talking trash to hotel patrons and refused to leave when staffers tried to toss him. His arrest came on the heels of Dr. Phil telling Bam he needed to go to rehab.

R. Kelly's far from sleeping with one eye open now that he's back in general population because he feels totally at ease among his hometown inmates ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the singer tell us ... Kelly doesn't anticipate any problems in gen pop at the federal prison where he's being held in Chicago, because he feels he's still considered a "legend" there.

We're told he believes his fellow prisoners all look up to him and wouldn't harm him ... despite facing sordid charges that include sex with minors -- which makes most prisoners a target.

Our sources say this is strictly a Chicago thing, though -- Kelly would not be so fearless if he were to be placed in gen pop in one of the other jurisdictions where he's facing sex crime charges ... like New York federal court or Minnesota state court. He's just not as confident in his clout that far from home.

Also, Kelly's lawyer, Steven Greenberg, reminds us ... even in Illinois, security measures are in place to keep his client safe -- but he confirms Kelly's not sweating his safety, anyway.

The guy known as "The Real Tarzann" to millions on YouTube will now be tracked by law enforcement after his arrest for burglary and battery ... which he claims was actually self-defense.

Michael Holston was arraigned Friday in Miami on felony charges of burglary with battery and battery. Holston entered a plea of not guilty and the judge ordered him to stay away from his alleged victim, and wear a GPS ankle monitor.

TMZ broke the story ... Holston -- who produces viral videos of himself playing with chimps, lions, snakes and many other animals -- was arrested earlier this month. According to police, he beat the hell out of a guy who showed up at his home.

Cops say they got into an argument and, as you might expect, Tarzann got the best of him ... punching the guy several times in the face and body. Holston allegedly lunged inside a car to continue hitting the guy when he tried to call police.

He's also accused of punching a friend of the alleged victim who tried to help.

However, Holston's attorney, Brian Bieber (no relation) tells TMZ ... his client was only protecting himself. Bieber claims the alleged victim had posted videos threatening Holston ... including at least one where he was armed with a rifle. Bieber says Holston was only defending himself because he recognized the alleged victim from the social media post.

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles' older brother is in police custody for the murders of 3 people ... after an 8-month investigation into a New Year's Eve tragedy.

Tevin Biles-Thomas was arrested Thursday at Fort Stewart in Georgia, where he is an active duty soldier in the Army. Police say Biles-Thomas opened fired on a group of people when a fight broke out during a New Year's Eve party at an Airbnb in Cleveland.

According to cops, an "uninvited" group of people had entered the house party and during the ensuing brawl ... Biles-Thomas fired the shots that killed three men and injured 2 others.

A Cuyahoga County Grand Jury returned an indictment of Biles-Thomas for 6 counts of murder, 3 counts of voluntary manslaughter, 5 counts of felonious assault and 1 count of perjury. Under Ohio law, "purposely killing" and "knowingly killing" a victim are separate counts for each victim -- and that's why he got 6 murder charges. 

Simone and her family are from the Columbus, Ohio area.

24-year-old Biles-Thomas is still being held in Georgia, but will be extradited to Ohio ahead of his arraignment on Sept. 13.

Actor James Denton was NOT involved in a multi-car DUI car accident Friday morning ... as TMZ earlier reported.

First responders tell us the person who was detained in the car wreck near LAX is indeed named James Denton, but he is NOT the actor ... who, of course, is famous for his role as Mike Delfino on "Desperate Housewives."

We were initially informed it was the actor, but that information turned out to be erroneous ... and we apologize.

R. Kelly is making a plea to a federal judge ... a plea to remove him from solitary confinement and put him in general population.

It's a risky move either way. Solitary can drive you crazy, but gen pop can get you killed if you're accused of sex crimes involving underage girls.

Kelly's lawyer filed legal docs, obtained by TMZ, claiming the solitary area where the singer is confined is designed for punishment ... not housing pending trial.

Attorney Steven Greenberg gives examples ... he has no meaningful interaction with human beings, no time outside getting sunlight, no access to media, no recreational activities, no face-to-face visitations that are not recorded, showering only 3 days a week and one 15-minute telephone call per month. And, he's not permitted to buy snacks or candy from the commissary.

There are other examples, but Kelly's lawyer says his client hasn't violated any rules and has not been convicted of a crime, yet he's being treated as such.

Greenberg claims Kelly is being punished because of his "celebrity status" and the fact he's charged with sex crimes involving minors.

Feel free to raise a glass in honor of Luann de Lesseps reaching the end of her 1-year probation, but forgive her if she doesn't join you -- she's planning to stick with the sober life.

The 'Real Housewives of New York' star was on "TMZ Live" Wednesday to talk about her milestone. The judge ordered her to stay off drugs and alcohol during probation, and Luann told us it's had a profound impact on her life.

Yeah, she could be celebrating with champagne -- we know she's down with mimosas -- but Luann says she's now enjoying sobriety.

As you know ... she'd been on probation from her Christmas Eve 2017 arrest after an alleged drunken dispute with cops in Palm Beach, FL. Video from inside the patrol car showed Luann going nuclear ... threatening to kill an officer.

Luann didn't hold back, btw, when we asked her about her sometimes-nemesis on 'RHOC,' Bethenny Frankel, quitting the show this week. For those expecting a "ding dong the Wicked Witch is dead" kinda moment -- watch the clip.

Howie Day was arrested in NYC after a woman claimed he'd assaulted her -- this a year after he was arrested for something similar ... TMZ has confirmed.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the "Collide" singer was busted Friday after he allegedly got into an argument with a woman at a hotel in Manhattan's Financial District. Things got so heated that cops were eventually called ... and the woman reported that Day had grabbed her, thrown her around, wrapped his hands around her throat and squeezed.

When cops arrived, we're told 8 Xanax pills were found in Howie's pocket. The woman, whose relationship to Howie is unclear, reportedly sought medical attention and got a protective order against Howie as well.

He was booked on charges ranging from assault with intent to cause physical injury, criminal obstruction of breathing and possession of a controlled substance. Howie was reportedly arraigned Saturday, where he's said not to have entered a plea. He bailed out on $500 bond.

This, of course, is a huge deal ... seeing how Howie was arrested in April 2018 for a similar alleged incident -- only that one was caught on video. In surveillance footage, obtained by TMZ, you can see Howie shove his then-girlfriend, Carrie Pencek, at least once.

He's also on tape slamming the car door, throwing his music gear around and looking visibly upset, which promoted Carrie to get out of the vehicle in a panic. At the time, cops showed up at his house to arrested him for fourth-degree assault.