Rapper DMX arrested at Phoenix mall
PHOENIX (AP) - July 20, 2008 Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said that when DMX, whose
real name is Earl Simmons, went to Scottsdale's Mayo Clinic in
April, he used the name "Troy Jones" and failed to pay a $7,500
bill.
DMX's Scottsdale attorney, Cameron Morgan, declined to comment.
Arpaio said his office began investigating the charge following
an animal neglect investigation last year at the 37-year-old
rapper's north Phoenix home. DMX was arrested in that case on
felony drug possession and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges after
authorities seized 12 pit bull dogs and dug up the remains of three
others.
The musician/actor has had other recent run-ins with the law,
including an arrest at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
earlier this month on outstanding warrants after he failed to
appear in court.
The week before, he was arrested in Miami on charges of
attempting to purchase cocaine and marijuana.
"He's back in jail again," Arpaio said. "I don't know why
judges keep letting this guy out. Every time he goes in there, he
gets out on bond.
"I'm hoping this is the one time he's going to pay the penalty
for his offense," he added.
Arpaio said the bond had not been set in the recent arrest.
If DMX remains jailed, the sheriff said he would be isolated
from the rest of the inmates for his own safety. "They may not
like his music," he said.