'Empire' Star Bryshere Gray Pleads Guilty in Felony Dom. Violence Case Must Do Jail Time
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Bryshere Gray -- known for his role as Hakeem Lyon on "Empire" -- has entered a guilty plea in his domestic violence case ... and he'll have to spend some time behind bars.
According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Gray pled guilty to felony aggravated assault and, as part of his plea agreement, he's been sentenced to 10 days in county jail and 3 years probation.
As part of the deal ... Gray has also been ordered to pay restitution. He must also enroll in a domestic violence offender treatment program.
During his probation, Gray won't be allowed to consume any illegal drugs and he'll also have to submit to drug and alcohol testing. He's gotta stay out of trouble ... and he can't possess any stun guns, Tasers or any other kind of firearm.
He also must check in with his probation officer within 72 hours of being contacted by law enforcement and he needs written approval from police before associating with anyone who has a criminal record.
As we reported ... Gray was busted back in July following a standoff with SWAT at his home just outside of Phoenix. His wife flagged down a Good Samaritan and alleged Gray assaulted for several hours at their home.
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'QAnon Shaman' Judge Orders Him to Get Psych Exam ... Competency Questioned
One of the most infamous faces of the Capitol insurrection -- the bare-chested "shaman" with horns and face paint -- is going to get his head checked to see if he’s competent to stand trial.
Jake Angeli, who many know as the "QAnon Shaman," was just ordered to be hauled off to a federal facility for a psychological evaluation ... according to new court docs. The court says the psych exam will be conducted by a licensed or certified psychiatrist or psychologist, who will be looking into Angeli's mental health.
According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Angeli's legal proceedings will hit pause while the feds figure out if he's competent to stand trial.
As we reported, Angeli was arrested a few days after the Capitol riot, on charges of knowingly entering/remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, violent entry, and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
Prosecutors say he called the FBI and confessed to being the man wearing Viking garb roaming the Capital with a spear and flag.
Angeli's also the same dude who reportedly whined about not being able to eat in federal custody due to a lack of organic food options meeting his strict diet.
Stay tuned ...
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Ronald Greene Fatal Arrest Footage Finally Released ... 'I'm Sorry. I'm Scared!!!'
The body cam footage of Ronald Greene's fatal arrest in Louisiana is finally out, and the brutal video -- showing him screaming for mercy while getting hit, kicked and tased -- clears up much of the mystery surrounding his death.
LA State Troopers arrested Greene way back in 2019 after he'd led them on a high-speed chase near Monroe, LA ... and the body cam shows more than a handful of officers were involved when he finally pulled over.
One officer almost immediately tased Greene while he was still inside his SUV, and you can hear Greene yelling, "I'm scared! I'm scared! I'm your brother, I'm scared!!"
Despite his cries, cops ended up dragging Greene out through the passenger side door -- and while he was handcuffed and on his stomach ... another officer repeatedly kicked him.
Louisiana authorities fought the release of this video for nearly 2 years, but the AP finally obtained the footage. Greene died on his way to the hospital, but police initially told his family he died by crashing his car into a tree during the chase.
That lie had been exposed months ago when audio from body cam mics was released, and one of the cops involved was recorded saying, "I beat the ever-living f**k out of him" ... referring to Greene's arrest.
"And I beat the ever-living fuck out of him."
— ᑎᗩᕼ. (@NotTiff_Tiffany) October 1, 2020 @NotTiff_Tiffany
"And then he went limp."
Louisiana State Trooper audio after he murders #RonaldGreene pic.twitter.com/lb5wWLUHZE
That officer, Chris Hollingsworth, was also recorded admitting at least 3 other cops were restraining Greene while they mercilessly beat him. Hours after finding out he was going to be suspended, Hollingsworth died in a fatal car crash.
The Greene family's filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit, and the Dept. of Justice was conducting its own investigation of the incident.
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'Storage Wars' Jarrod's D.V. Case Leaves Job in Limbo ... Network Investigating
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"Storage Wars" star Jarrod Schulz's days might be numbered on the popular reality TV series ... it all depends on what the network determines after conducting its own investigation following his domestic violence charge.
TMZ broke the story ... Schulz is accused of pushing his ex, Brandi Passante, during a heated argument in late April while she was hanging with friends in a bar. The Orange County D.A.'s Office hit him with 1 count of misdemeanor domestic violence battery for the alleged incident.
Sources close to "Storage Wars" production tell us ... A&E found out about Jarrod getting charged when our story broke, and immediately launched a probe to gather information and speak to those involved.
We're told the network is currently investigating, and though Schulz happened to be off this week's filming schedule ... it's not expected he'll return to shoot segments until A&E concludes its review.
Our sources say once that happens, a decision will be made about his future with the show. We've spoken to multiple other main cast members who say if the allegations of domestic violence are true ... they don't believe he should return.
We're also told the cast has been uneasy with the situation between Jarrod and Brandi, long before the recent allegations.
Given the fact they split over 2 years ago, and some have described their relationship as "messy" -- many connected to the show think this should be the tipping point for the network to cut ties.
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MLB's Felipe Vazquez Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting 13-Year-Old Girl
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Felipe Vazquez -- once considered one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball -- has been found guilty of statutory sexual assault stemming from an inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old girl.
The 2-time All-Star was arrested in 2019 following allegations Vasquez had sex with a 13-year-old girl in his Ford Mustang in Pennsylvania back in 2017 when he was 26.
Officials say the MLB closer also sent the girl graphic videos and photos -- and told her in text messages he was planning to have sex with her again.
The texts were discovered by the alleged victim's mother -- who alerted police. Investigators say the images depicted numerous "unique and distinguishable" tattoos on his body ... which they were able to match to Vazquez through public images on the Internet.
Prosecutors moved forward with 25 criminal charges against Vasquez -- including 10 counts of child pornography, 10 counts of unlawful contact with a minor and 1 count of corruption of minors.
But, on Thursday, the jury in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, found 29-year-old Vazquez guilty on 15 total counts -- including statutory sexual assault, sexual abuse of children, child pornography and corruption of minors.
The victim was in the courtroom with her family when the verdict was read, according to WPXI's Amy Hudak ... who also shot video of Vazquez returning to jail Thursday evening following his conviction.
Vazquez is in the back of this SUV lying down. Just left to return to jail as a convicted sex offender. @WPXI pic.twitter.com/RhNrfG39SU
— Amy Hudak (@amy_hudak) May 21, 2021 @amy_hudak
Vazquez now faces serious prison time when the sentencing portion of the case begins -- and he could also be deported to Venezuela.
Vazquez was a legitimate star in the MLB who had a solid season in 2019 -- and had signed a 4-year, $22.5 million contract in 2018.
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'Scorpion' Star Elyes Gabel Allegedly Spat At, Shoved, Choked GF Charged with Misd. Assault
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Elyes Gabel -- who starred in all 4 seasons as the computer genius on "Scorpion" -- allegedly flew into a violent rage ... after cops say his girlfriend accused him of shoving and choking her in a profanity-laced argument that turned violent.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Gabel’s GF told cops she and Gabel got into a verbal argument last week after he returned to their room at the Bowery Hotel at around 3 AM ... following a night of drinking.
We're told at some point things turned physical ... with Gabel allegedly spitting at her face and threatening her saying, "c*** f***ing bitch. I'm going to punch your f***ing face in."
Our sources say Gabel’s GF claims Gabel grabbed her phone, flung it to the ground and cracked it before shoving her onto the couch. She told cops he then wrapped both hands around her neck and squeezed. We're told she didn't lose consciousness but did suffer substantial pain and redness around her neck.
Here’s what's interesting ... our sources say cops weren't called until 1 PM later that day. Unclear why.
We’re told the GF refused medical attention but Gabel eventually was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, aggravated harassment, attempted assault and harassment.
Gabel was later released without bail and our sources say a judge issued a temporary order of protection for the GF against Gabel, who is also known for playing Rakharo in seasons 1 and 2 on "Game of Thrones."
We've reached out to Gabel for comment and his attorney, Stacey Richman, tells TMZ ... Gabel vehemently denies the allegations.
Richman adds, "While the claims are sensationalistic, they are not accurate. Elyes would never conduct himself in the manner alleged. Nevertheless he will not disparage the complainant and looks forward to the facts emerging through the legal process."
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Robert Durst Back In Court Looking Frail ... Murder Trial Resumes
Robert Durst -- the notorious subject of the HBO documentary, 'The Jinx' -- is back in court for his murder trial ... after a 14-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Durst just appeared in court, appearing thin and frail with his nose and mouth hidden behind a white medical mask. In case you've forgotten ... he stands accused of shooting his friend, Susan Berman, in the head at her Beverly Hills home in December 2000 ... allegedly because she knew something about the mysterious death of his wife, Kathleen, who disappeared in 1982.
Durst was arrested in New Orleans in March 2015, just weeks after "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst," began airing and the LAPD reopened the Berman case.
The docuseries detailed bizarre and disturbing allegations against Durst and chronicled why he was suspected in the killings of Susan and Kathleen ... along with how he was acquitted of the murder of a Texas neighbor in 2001.
'The Jinx' ended with a jaw-dropping moment in which Durst -- believing his microphone was off after excusing himself from an interview -- seemingly confessed to murder while talking to himself in the bathroom, saying ... "What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course."
The documentary also linked a letter sent to police alerting them of Susan's dead body to Durst.
So, he was arrested and charged with her murder in 2015, and though his trial began in March 2020 with a few days of witness testimony ... it was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was originally scheduled to resume in July but was postponed again.
Durst's lawyers requested an indefinite postponement of the trial earlier this month citing a "myriad of life-threatening health issues" ... including bladder cancer that is not being treated.
The judge denied it, and his trial resumed Monday, with Durst finally appearing Tuesday. Before that, Durst was last present for a court hearing back in March of this year.
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Andrew Brown Jr. Shooting Video Released Cops keep job & Dodge charges
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1:36 PM PT -- Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten Jr. just announced that the 3 deputies directly involved in Andrew Brown Jr.'s death are going to keep their jobs ... but will be disciplined and retrained, despite not being charged criminally.
Waiting for your permission to load the Facebook Video.
Wooten said 2 of the deputies involved didn't turn on their body cameras that day, and the team failed to have EMS on standby ... which he says probably wouldn't have saved Brown, but still needed to be done per policy.
The Sheriff also said more training is in store for the deputies, as well as the rest of the guys on the SOAT (Special Operations and Tactics Team), because he wants to make sure they're implementing "best practices" ... and repeatedly referenced being able to "do better" in these types of situations.
He stopped short of saying his boys did a piss-poor job, but if you read between the lines -- that seems to be what he's getting at, which potentially opens the Sheriff's Office and the County to a civil lawsuit from the Brown family.
10:47 AM PT -- One of the attorney's for Brown's family, Harry Daniels, says deadly force was NOT justified because Andrew wasn't using his car as a weapon, despite what the D.A. feels.
Daniels joined us on "TMZ Live" Tuesday and said the officers who shot at Andrew weren't the ones who had to jump out of the way of his car ... and Daniels claims cops violated department policy by shooting at Brown as he drove away.
He says Andrew posed no threat to the police when the bullets started flying.
The Andrew Brown Jr. police shooting video has just been released to the public ... and the D.A. said no charges would be filed against the officers.
In the police body camera footage, released Tuesday, you see a bunch of cops armed to the teeth ... rolling up to Andrew's home as he sits in his BMW in the driveway.
Video shows the cops hopping out of their truck and pointing weapons at Andrew's car as they surround it, telling him to stop the car and swearing at him. Footage shows him driving off as the police unleash a barrage of bullets.
Next, you see Andrew's driving away over a lawn and then crashing into a tree. The police then run over to the vehicle, surrounding it and pointing their guns as they bark at him to show his hands.
Brown's family walked the media through the video last week, saying a cop fired one shot and Brown began to back up, fearing for his life. They said he never made a menacing move toward the cops and called it an unjustified killing.
The video you're watching was shown at a news conference held by the D.A., Andrew Womble. He said no charges would be filed because he views the shooting as "justified." Womble said there was an apparent risk to the officers' lives and that justified the use of deadly force.
And this is interesting ... the D.A. mentioned in the news conference the Coroner found meth in Brown's mouth. Fact is ... it's irrelevant, because the police didn't know that when they fired at him so what they did stands on its own. It does, however, seem the D.A. mentioned it to "dirty up" Brown.
Originally published -- 8:49 AM PT
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'NYPD Blue' Star Bonnie Somerville Busted For DUI
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Bonnie Somerville, famous for playing a detective on "NYPD Blue," had a run-in with real cops on the opposite coast ... police in L.A. say she was drunk behind the wheel.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... cops were getting calls around 10 PM Sunday night for a car stopped in traffic on the 405 near Inglewood, and when officers arrived, they say they found Bonnie pulled off on the right shoulder in a Mercedes-Benz.
Our sources say Bonnie told cops she simply ran out of gas, but officers say she reeked of booze and ended up bombing a field sobriety test.
We're told Bonnie, who played Det. Laura Murphy in the final season of "NYPD Blue," was cited for DUI and later released.
We reached out to Bonnie's camp ... so far no word back.
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'TIGER KING' ZOOKEEPER ERIK COWIE BUSTED FOR DUI AFTER CRASH
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Erik Cowie, one of the "Tiger King" stars who you saw caring for the zoo's exotic animals, was driving drunk when he crashed into another car ... at least according to cops.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Cowie was busted for DUI in Oklahoma after cops say they responded to a two-car collision on an interstate highway.
We're told Cowie was driving one of the cars involved in the accident last month, and responding officers say he reeked of booze and bombed field sobriety tests.
Our sources say he admitted to having 2 beers before getting behind the wheel, and his blood alcohol content came in at 0.11.
Our sources also say, Cowie was put in handcuffs on the spot, and taken to jail where he was booked for driving under the influence. He's already entered a guilty plea and will be sentenced on May 25.
Fortunately, law enforcement says no one in either vehicle was injured in the crash.
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'Love & Hip Hop' Star Mo Fayne Pleads Guilty in PPP Loan Fraud Case ... Faces 151 Months in Prison
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Rapper Mo Fayne's looking at serious time behind bars -- but less than he might have gotten -- after cutting a plea deal in his PPP loan fraud case.
The "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" star pled guilty to 6 counts of federal bank fraud after prosecutors say he funded a lavish lifestyle during the pandemic with a Paycheck Protection Program loan. Y'know ... the ones intended to help employees and small businesses hit hard by COVID.
In docs, obtained by TMZ, Fayne was ordered to forfeit nearly $100k from several bank accounts as well as 8 of his 2015 Kenworth T680 trucks. Yes, he bought EIGHT trucks!!!
In exchange for his plea, the feds dropped 14 other charges and agreed to recommend Fayne get a 151-month prison sentence -- about 12.5 years -- and that's prosecutors going easy on him! Before the deal, he was staring down a possible max of 30 years.
As we reported ... Fayne was accused of using a PPP loan of over $2M to buy $85,000 worth of jewelry and pay off a bunch of personal debts, including child support.
Mo's been locked up since December for violating the terms of his bond, but he's now asking to be let out before the judge issues his sentence in September.
He argues he's NOT a threat to flee or a danger to the community. What's more ... Fayne says he wants out so he can see his doctor to treat a shoulder injury that required surgery last year, but was put on hold due to the pandemic.
Fayne also says, due to his history of asthma and use of an inhaler, he's in a high-risk group to contract COVID-19 while behind bars -- but that argument will probably be DOA in court. The feds have said all inmates will be offered vaccines.
If that argument doesn't work ... Fayne also says he wants to help his 18-year-old daughter prepare for college, and organize his day-to-day household affairs before beginning his long stint in prison.
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Joe Exotic I Have Prostate Cancer ... Get Me Outta Here!!!
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Joe Exotic believes he may have prostate cancer, among many other ailments, and he's begging President Biden, Vice President Harris and others to step in and help.
Joe says his PSA count came back very high for prostate cancer. He seems to say it's clear he has prostate cancer, because he says, "The prison has approved testing to verify what state it is in." It appears there has been no diagnosis by a doctor.
Joe's lawyer, John M. Phillips, tells TMZ, Joe is scheduled to undergo further testing in prison, however, the facility is limited in what it can do. Phillips is trying to get Joe a new trial.
Joe says he's riddled with disease ... "I have lost a tremendous amount of weight, the mouth sores are out of control, I throw up more than I eat. I don't want anyone's pity, what I need is when John Phillips gets the evidence he is working on, I need the world to help him get President Biden, VP Harris and the Attorney General to listen to the evidence."
He's asking again for the elusive pardon so he can go home and get medical treatment.
Joe tried hard to get a pardon from Trump, but when that failed he claimed he was "too gay" to ever receive a pardon from him.
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London Brawl Massive Fight at Airport Caught on Video
It looks like the world is transitioning from brawls over mask-wearing to the ol'-fashion variety.
This one went down at London's Luton Airport after a man threw a bottle at another passenger who was insulting his female traveling companion.
For some reason, lots of onlookers decided to get in the game, and when the dust settled 17 people were arrested. Three people received serious injuries and were taken to the hospital.
A police spokesperson said, "We take a zero tolerance approach to violence and continue to assist the police with their inquiries. We would like to sincerely apologise to any passengers affected."
Three passengers in hospital and 17 arrested after Luton Airport brawl. https://t.co/DKZ7y1CI3U pic.twitter.com/Ya8ZmCvhNv
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@breakingavnews) May 15, 2021 @breakingavnews
It's really crazy ... dudes are clobbering each other with suitcases right in the terminal area around all the stores. And, it happened at 8 AM ... way too early to brawl.
The world is getting back to normal, and it ain't all good.
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LORI LOUGHLIN & Mossimo Giannulli Let Us Go to Mexico, Judge ... Por Favor!!!
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At least Lori Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, are heading to Mexico after doing their time ... or at least that's their hope, but first, they need approval from a federal judge.
The famous couple's legal team filed new docs asking the judge in their college admissions scandal case for permission to boogie down to San Jose del Cabo for a family vacation.
According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Lori and Mossimo say they want to travel to Cabo for about a week in June to be with their family, and they claim they've been complying with the terms of their supervised releases.
Lori and Mossimo also claim their probation officers are cool with them saying "adios" to America -- just for the vacay, of course -- so, now they just need the judge to give his blessing.
As we first told you ... Lori finished her 2-month prison sentence in December and flew back home in a private jet.
Mossimo, meanwhile, was sprung early from prison last month and recently finished home confinement ... so, he's finally free to leave his crib.
Looks like Lori and Mossimo want their first big family vacation post-prison life to be in Cabo ... as long as the judge says "si."
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'American Idol' Doug Kiker Arrested For Domestic Violence
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Doug Kiker, the garbage man who brought Katy Perry to tears on "American Idol," is in police custody after cops in Alabama say he was involved in a domestic violence incident.
Mobile Police lieutenant Matthew James tells TMZ ... Kiker was busted Thursday for misdemeanor domestic violence (harassment) and he's now sitting in jail on $1,000 bond.
We're told officers responded to a report of domestic violence Thursday night allegedly involving Kiker and an adult woman and she's the one who called 911. The nature of their relationship is unclear.
Cops say responding officers investigated and determined there was probable cause to arrest Kiker ... and he was hauled off to jail, where he posed for this mug shot.
'Idol' fans will certainly remember Kiker ... he was a contestant last year and his cover of Rascal Flatts' "Bless The Broken Road" had Katy in tears.
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Antonio Brown Sued Over Alleged Violent Encounter ... With Moving Truck Driver
Just when it appeared Antonio Brown's legal troubles were behind him ... he's now being sued again, this time for allegedly assaulting a moving truck driver, TMZ Sports has confirmed.
According to the lawsuit, Anton Tumanov claims he was the moving company driver that initially accused Brown in February 2020 of assaulting him during a violent encounter outside of the NFL star's mansion in Hollywood, Fla.
In the docs, Tumanov says he was hired to move some of Brown's belongings from California to Florida ... but he claims when he arrived at Brown's home on Feb. 11, the receiver snapped.
Tumanov says after a dispute over payment ... Brown and his trainer, Glenn Holt, beat the hell out of him, damaging his truck and other people's belongings in his truck in the process.
Tumanov reported the incident to police, and in his 911 call, you can hear he told dispatch he thought Brown was "high."
32-year-old Brown was eventually arrested and hit with 3 criminal charges for his alleged role in the incident ... though he later cut a deal with prosecutors in June 2020 to put the case behind him.
Brown agreed to probation and other stipulations, including community service hours and an anger management course, to have the case dropped.
According to Tumanov's suit, he's now suing Brown AND Holt for damages in excess of $30,000.
As we previously reported, Brown had appeared to have cleared up all of his legal issues in recent months, including settling a civil lawsuit with his rape accuser, Britney Taylor.
Brown just signed a new 1-year contract with the Bucs to reunite with Tom Brady on the field in 2021.