The rapper pled guilty in May to attempted aggravated assault for throwing a meal tray at a jail officer while serving time for felony theft, drug possession and animal cruelty. Yesterday, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge in Phoenix sentenced him to 18 months probation and ordered him to pay various fines and fees.
The judge also credited DMX with time served, and agreed to allow him to serve his probation in Florida where he will also undergo counseling.
DMX’s legal problems began in 2007 when Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies raided his Phoenix home and discovered weapons, marijuana and several pit bulls.
One year later he’s busted for speeding on a Phoenix freeway, followed by police charging him with using a false name at a Scottsdale clinic in an effort to avoid paying for medical services.
The arrests led to jail time in the county lock-up, which led to DMX throwing the tray at the guard, which led to yesterday’s probation sentencing. Now the rapper is looking forward to seeing Arizona in his rear-view window.
“Don't misunderstand me,” DMX said. “It’s a beautiful state, it’s a beautiful city. But the powers that be have it out for me. It kind of taints my view.”
Not everyone was pleased with the probation sentence. Especially Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Yes, that’s right. The same Arpaio who bills himself as “America’s toughest sheriff” and is known for setting up a “tent city” jail extension, bringing back chain gangs and making pink underwear standard jailhouse apparel.
Needless to say, Sheriff Arpaio wasn’t too thrilled about DMX receiving only probation for the food tray toss. Said the sheriff in a statement:
“The fact that the court gave him what amounts to about two weeks' time for assaulting an officer is a farce.”