Arrests

Brittney Griner looks thrilled to be back on a basketball court with her WNBA team ... judging by this glimpse the Phoenix Mercury's providing of her shoot-around sesh.

32-year-old Griner was all smiles Tuesday as she got some work in on the practice court ... just a couple days after she inked a one-year deal to return to her former team.

Remember ... Brittney hasn't played in the WNBA since the 2021 season, when she averaged 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds to lead the Mercury to the WNBA Finals.

BG went overseas last year to play basketball in Russia, but as you know ... she was arrested at an airport just outside Moscow in February 2022 after Russia claimed she was caught attempting to smuggle vape cartridges into the country.

Brittney was detained in Russia for 10 months until December 2022, when she came home in a swap for high-value Russian prisoner Viktor Bout.

BG vowed to return to the WNBA as soon as she got home ... and over the weekend she agreed to a deal with the Mercury, the team that originally drafted her with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft.

Kim Kardashian's latest alleged stalker just can't seem to stay away from her -- and because of that ... it landed him in handcuffs.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Jomoine Zigler was arrested Friday after allegedly making his way into Kim's gated community and getting pretty close to her actual house. We're told he didn't end up making it onto the property itself, but was right outside of it.

That was enough for Kim's camp to call in the cavalry ... the L.A. Sheriff's Dept. showed up and took him to jail -- where he was booked for misdemeanor violation of a protective order.

You'll recall ... Kim got a temporary restraining order against this guy in late January -- this after claiming he'd visited her home multiple times in person ... while also allegedly sending her gifts and other bizarre items. She also said he'd referred to her as his wife online.

The judge signed off on the TRO, and a hearing was scheduled for this month to discuss the possibility of a permanent one being granted. Sounds like the weirdo just couldn't wait.

A reporter covering Governor Mike DeWine's news conference was taken down to the ground by law enforcement and arrested Wednesday for allegedly disrupting a news conference.

Governor DeWine was at an East Palestine, Ohio gym, discussing a train derailment in the city when reporter Evan Lambert was doing a live shot for NewsNation. It appears police told Lambert he was interrupting the Governor, but Lambert was in the middle of his report and continued on.

Just after Lambert finished, local police took Lambert down to the ground and cuffed him, as onlookers questioned cops as to why.

Lambert was cuffed and taken to jail. A NewsNation exec tells TMZ they were told Lambert would have to spend the night in jail, adding the Governor called the network and said he wanted Lambert released.

Lambert was arrested for disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing.

Joe Exotic isn't sure how much time he has left on this Earth, so he signed a new will -- leaving everything to his latest fiancé ... while also ordering first responders not to revive him if things go south.

In a prison-recorded phone call obtained by TMZ, Joe lays out what's what if he's to pass away ... saying his entire estate is going to Seth Posey, who he met over the internet ... and to whom he's currently engaged. If Seth dies, it all goes to the guy's son, Cameron.

Joe makes a point to say he doesn't want anybody else getting their grubby paws on any of his assets or valuables -- including Jeff Lowe, his family members or anyone else. Previously, he'd nixed his ex-husband, Dillon Passage. So, at this point, it's all going to Seth.

He also mentions a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order he's put in his will in the off chance that he goes into cardiac arrest or anything that might require life-saving measures. JE sounds frustrated with the fact that he's been in prison for this long ... and says "he's done."

Joe further tells TMZ ... "I am sick of people standing in line waiting to collect my stuff," which is why he's taking this preemptive measure. Rather than leave things for what he considers vultures, who he says are standing by to collect, Joe wants this cut and dried.

On top of this, the 'Tiger King' has very specific funeral plans ... listen for yourself.

As we first told you ... Joe and Seth reunited in June after first meeting in 2021, when Seth won Joe's online 'Bachelor King' competition to be Joe's new boyfriend. They ultimately grew apart, and then Joe was planning to marry his fellow inmate, John Graham ... but when Graham got out of prison, Joe ended up getting back with Seth. Yeah, Joe's got a crazy love life.

Anyways, 59-year-old Joe's still got around 20 years left on his prison sentence for his murder-for-hire conviction, and he tells us he believes the feds hope he dies in prison "so they don't have to admit they were wrong."

Police are investigating a pretty horrifying clip of cops pummeling a woman ... and we're told it all started after a complaint about lack of cheese on a Big Mac.

In the vid, you can see 2 officers attempting to detain Latinka Hancock Monday in Butler Township, Ohio. After some arguing, you can see one of the cops punch her in the head multiple times before getting the cuffs on her.

Police now say they're looking into the incident caught on camera.

Hancock's attorney Michael Wright of Wright & Schulte tells TMZ ... it all went down after Hancock ordered and paid for a Big Mac at McDonald's with extra cheese -- but she claims the order didn't come with the extra cheese.

Wright says employees ended up calling the cops on Hancock after things got heated ... and insists she was confronted by Butler Township PD after trying to leave.

Bryan Kohberger seems inclined not to fight Idaho authorities wanting him in their jurisdiction ASAP -- but sounds confident he'll beat the charges ... according to his lawyer.

Jason LaBar -- Kohberger's extradition hearing attorney -- tells TMZ his client is, for now, likely to waive his right to have his looming transportation back to ID heard in front of a judge ... which, if it holds true, would mean Kohberger will get shipped back Latah County this upcoming week without any further delay -- where he'd be expected to enter a plea.

While LaBar notes Kohberger has neither denied or admitted to the charges against him -- implicitly or explicitly -- he did say his client told him he felt he would be exonerated, which obviously suggests he believes he's innocent.

We're told Kohberger and his parents are shocked by his arrest -- telling us their home in PA was descended upon by feds very early Friday morning ... where they were surrounded by law enforcement and instructed to comply, which LaBar says Kohberger did without issue.

Part of the reason Kohberger might wanna get this over with quickly has to do with the fact he told his attorney he wasn't on the run. On the contrary, LaBar says Kohberger relayed that he and his father drove a white Hyundai from Washington -- where Bryan currently attends university -- back to PA on Dec. 18 ... a plan they'd apparently had all along.

The implication ... Kohberger was neither in hiding nor fleeing, as the murders occurred in mid-November. Remember, though ... Kohberger was within a stone's throw from the University of Idaho during this time -- pursuing a graduate's degree in criminology at Washington State University -- so this supposedly chill father-son road trip doesn't really clear him one way or another. It simply explains his movements during the holidays.

Of course, Kohberger has time to change his mind on the extradition hearing -- which could jam things up. Otherwise, court proceedings will begin and prosecutors will have to show their cards on what exactly they have that implicates him as the quadruple murderer.

There have been reports saying Kohberger has been getting surveilled for a while now, and that the feds were tracking his whereabouts these past few weeks. Also, the word is that the police have DNA evidence -- putting him at the scene of the crime -- and a match on the Hyundai seen in the area that night ... which they've reportedly traced to Kohberger.

Young Thug might soon be fighting more than charges ... as a COVID-19 outbreak has hit several of his codefendants in his RICO case.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, a bunch of the defendants and attorneys in Young Thug's ongoing case have tested positive for COVID. The court order states Young Thug could also be at risk of getting COVID and says he must get tested.

The court order, stamped on 12/28, does not have results from Young Thug's COVID test.

As we reported, Young Thug has been in custody for more than 7 months ... he was arrested back in May on gang-related charges tied to a 56-count indictment. He's slated for trial in January, with jury selection beginning on January 5.

Todd Chrisley is gearing up for his lengthy prison sentence ... and here's a detailed look at how things are run at the prison where he'll be serving his 12-year sentence.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, Todd's set to report to minimum security FPC Pensacola in FL on January 17 ... and the facility has a specific uniform for inmates -- green pants, green shirts, white socks and black steel-toed boots.

As for the daily routine, lights come on at 4:45 AM daily -- and breakfast is served from 5-6. From there, beds must be made military style by 6:30, and his room should be completely clean ... likely not an issue for the self-professed germaphobe.

The work day begins as late as 7:30 AM and ends between 3 PM and 5 PM. There are a bunch of gigs Todd could pick up while behind bars ... jobs like cook, plumber, librarian, landscape worker, dishwasher or laundry worker.

Lunch is served at 11 AM, and he'll get an evening meal from 4:30 - 5:30 ... followed by mail call until 8:30. The compound then closes down shortly after, and lights out at 10:30.

A bunch of sports are offered at Todd's facility -- things like softball, flag football, basketball, soccer and volleyball. They also have the ability to do weight training, music, hobby crafts like art or woodworking and horseshoes.

As far as visiting hours ... he'll be limited to no more than 5 people at a time under the prison's policy.

We should say -- Todd has filed a motion asking for bail pending his appeal -- so if the judge grants that and EVERYTHING goes in his favor on the appeal, there's technically a chance he won't see any prison time.

Angela Yee says folks need to ease up on labeling Gunna a snitch -- just because he copped a plea deal in the YSL RICO case, she doesn't believe the rapper would ever sing to the feds.

We got the longtime 'Breakfast Club' host at the Allure Store in NYC, and asked her about Gunna's release this week from jail -- a move that's seemingly turned everyone on social media into legal experts, comparing him to Tekashi 6ix9ine ... who infamously ratted to get out of prison.

Angela admits she's no lawyer, but did tell us why she's hesitant to place the snitch label on Gunna.

As we reported, Gunna walked free Wednesday from the Fulton County Jail in Georgia, ending his 7 months of incarceration.

The Grammy-nominated rapper pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge as part of a pre-negotiated plea known as an Alford plea and was sentenced to 5 years behind bars ... with one of those years commuted for time served and the remaining 4 suspended, pending special conditions and community service.

Angela doesn't think Young Thug has any problem with Gunna's plea deal -- she believes Thug didn't want to see Gunna locked up with him in the first place.

YNW Melly says he fears for his life inside Broward County jail, and his mother is taking him at his word ... and demanding immediate action before there's a turn for the worse.

Jamie Demons-King says she's tried to get some relief from the judge in Melly's case, but is taking action into her own hands now by bringing the matter straight to the county commissioner.

The "Murder on My Mind" rapper called out specific guards in 2 IG posts this week, accusing them of threatening to beat him up and isolate him from the other inmates.

Melly also says his phone privileges have been revoked and feels like he has a target on his back. Jamie tells us she's feeling helpless over her son's predicament.

She says Christmas Day is her birthday and all she wants for a gift would be to talk to Melly ... but she's not certain it's going to happen.

We reached out to the Broward Co. Sheriff's Office, but haven't heard back yet.

21 Savage couldn't fully enjoy the moment he and Drake had performing during Lil Baby's friends and fam concert inside State Farm Arena over the weekend.

The "Her Loss" co-star surprised his hometown audience during Drake's performance of their song "Rich Flex" -- and nailed his cameo but after the show, he admitted he was lamenting the absence of several ATL superstars.

Despite Future, Chris Brown, Lil Yachty and several other high-profile rappers turning out for Lil Baby's extended birthday bash ...  21 said the event didn't feel the same without the incarcerated YSL members Young Thug and Gunna and added an extra heartbreak for Lil Keed and Takeoff ... who both died this year.

Takeoff's Migos brother Offset has also been coping with the pain ... recently dedicating The Jackson 5's "Never Can Say Goodbye" to the slain star while performing at the SteppinOut Music Festival in Bengaluru, India on Sunday.

The man accused of manufacturing the bomb that killed 270 Christmas week travelers on Pan Am flight 103 is finally in U.S. custody ... according to the Dept. of Justice.

It's unclear how exactly the feds captured the suspect, Abu Agila Mohammad Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, but he's scheduled to be in a federal court Monday to face charges.

Two years ago, then-Attorney General Bill Barr announced they were charging Mas'ud, and they've been hunting him down ever since.

He's accused of making the bomb that ripped through the Pan Am 747 on Dec. 21, 1988. The flight from London to New York exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland shortly after takeoff. All 259 people on board -- many of whom were flying home for Christmas -- were killed, along with 11 more on the ground.

In court docs, the feds call Mas'ud an expert bombmaker who started working in a Libyan intelligence group way back in the 70s.

A pair of NBA legends showed big love for Brittney Griner after her release from Russia on Thursday -- Dwyane Wade opted to use fashion to make his statement, while Steph Curry made his in an emotional speech.

Wade showed up the Rams vs. Raiders game at SoFi Stadium in L.A. rockin' a Griner tee ... and he displayed it proudly throughout the contest.

The shirt featured Griner in her Phoenix Mercury #42 jersey ... with the words, "We Are BG" printed on it as well.

The 3-time champ made sure his social media followers knew he had the WNBA star's back ... sharing a bathroom selfie with the Griner gear on full display.

Curry, meanwhile, glowed about Griner's return while delivering a speech at the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Awards in San Francisco.

"We are glad she's home, we're glad she's reunited with her family," Curry said. "It's a constant reminder for everybody continuing to use their platforms to speak on issues that are meaningful and can move the needle."

The Warriors guard also expressed gratitude to President Joe Biden for his part in getting Griner home ... but urged people to not forget about the others who have been wrongfully detained overseas as well.

"Thank you to President Biden's administration for being a part of that fight," Curry said. "But, it's also a reminder that we all need to stay engaged in the fight to protect American citizens at home and abroad who are wrongfully detained, and we can continue to be engaged in that fight."

"BG, we love you," Curry added. "We are always with you, BG.”

Brittney Griner's signature locs are no more ... and, according to her attorney, it's all 'cause Russian prison temperatures were causing brutal hair freezing.

Maria Blagovolina, who repped the WNBA star in her trial in Russia, told ESPN on Thursday the 32-year-old got the haircut two Sundays ago ... after her 'do kept freezing following prison showers.

Blagovolina said rather than deal with the issue for an entire Russian winter, Griner elected to chop it all off.

"It's very cold in there and every time she washed her hair she got cold and would get a chill," Blagovolina said. "She should have waited until New Year's Day."

Griner had donned long hair for YEARS ... rarely ever letting the flow get shorter than shoulder-length.

The basketball player looked ecstatic nonetheless while leaving Russia on Thursday -- smiling with the new haircut while telling at least one person on her plane that she was "happy."

U.S. official John Kirby said Friday after Griner touched down in San Antonio that she's in "very, very good spirits" and "appeared to be, obviously, in good health."

Griner is now expected to be checked out by medical personnel in Texas ... before returning home to Phoenix.

Brittney Griner is finally home ... the WNBA star touched down on U.S. soil early Friday morning -- after officials successfully negotiated her release from Russian custody on Thursday.

The 32-year-old was spotted getting off a private jet in San Antonio ... at around 5:40 AM ET.

She appeared to be wearing the same outfit -- a red jacket and dark-colored pants -- that she wore when she crossed paths with Viktor Bout in the UAE after the U.S. agreed to trade the arms dealer to Russia in exchange for the basketball player.

White House National Security Council Communications Coordinator John Kirby told TODAY after Griner's arrival that those who traveled with her said she was in "very, very good spirits."

"[She] appeared to be, obviously, in good health," Kirby added.

Griner is now expected to undergo a myriad of testing at a local medical facility in Texas to make sure she's OK ... before she eventually returns to her home in Phoenix.

Griner had been detained in Russia since February -- after she was accused of bringing hashish oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport. In August, she was sentenced to nine years in Russian prison.

Following her release on Thursday, Griner was seen smiling on a plane as she made her way back to the States.

Her wife, Cherelle Griner, said at the White House hours after her release that she felt like her family was "whole" again.

"Today is just a happy day for me and my family," she said. "So, I'm going to smile right now."

WNBA superstar Angel McCoughtry, who spent three seasons in Russia playing basketball, says she will NOT hoop in Russia anymore ... after Brittney Griner was held captive in a cell for nearly 10 months, and was only freed after a high-profile prisoner swap.

McCoughtry joined Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weekdays on FS1) ... and reflected on the release of 32-year-old Griner, Angel's friend and former Team USA Olympic teammate in 2016 (they won gold).

"Oh my gosh, today is a celebration. Brittney is back, she's on solid ground," Angel told us, elated ... adding, "Knowing Brittney, she's a big teddy bear. Her personality is so bubbly. I couldn't imagine the conditions she's gone through."

Of course, in August, Brittney was sentenced to 9 years in a prison labor camp after a Russian court convicted her of bringing hash oil into the country. That was until Thursday, when she was released in a prisoner swap for notorious arms dealer, Viktor Bout, also known as the "Merchant of Death."

Speaking about the conditions in Russia, Angel described her experience ... and she obviously wasn't under arrest or in a cell, and it was still difficult.

"I couldn't imagine the conditions she's gone through. I played in Russia for three years, and that was probably one of the hardest places I had to play."

"It was hard to make friends. People are introverted because of the weather. The sun doesn't come out. So, it's already kind of depressing being there, playing there. But, to be in that kind of environment, I'm so glad she's back. What an amazing feeling to wake up to that."

McCoughtry, the former #1 overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft, 2x WNBA scoring champ, and 5x All-Star, just to name a few accolades, spent two stints with Dynamo Kursk of the Russian Premiere League.

Many players travel overseas during the WNBA off-season because they can earn significantly more money than they do in America ... though the future is now uncertain.

"I mean, it's tough on us cause Russia was one of the places where we made the most money. I was making my WNBA salary in one month in Russia. My whole salary. I think girls are gonna go elsewhere and play, probably."

"We still have Spain and Istanbul, Turkey, different places, but, it definitely takes a toll on our game cause Russia, that was a place that had a lot of money for women to play, so it definitely hurts our game."

As for whether Angel would ever go back to Russia ... we asked the question with an obvious answer.

"No, I would not go back. I would not go back."

McCoughtry also talks about Griner's prospective return to professional basketball in the States, when she plans to reach out to BG, and much more.