DMX settled with prosecutors in Alden, New York (near Buffalo), ending a series of legal woes that date back to March 2000.

The rapper (a.k.a. Earl Simmons) pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault and paid a $1,000 fine on July 25th. The plea resulted in the dismissal of an assault charge filed in February and a contempt of court charge issued by an Erie Country grand jury on July 11th, stemming from DMX's failure to appear in a Cheektowaga, N.Y. courtroom to begin a prison term in early-February. DMX later turned himself in and served the thirteen-day sentence. He left the Erie County Correctional Facility on March 9th on crutches after an altercation with a prison guard, which brought about the assault charge.

The entire fiasco began on March 3, 2000 when DMX was pulled over following a Ruff Ryders performance in Buffalo and arrested for multiple traffic violations and marijuana possession.

ANDREW DANSBY
(July 27, 2001)