DMX Sentenced to Six Months in Prison for Unpaid Child Support

DMX has been sentenced to six months in jail for failing to pay $400,000 in child support. The 44-year-old rapper was placed in the Erie County holding center in Buffalo, New York on Tuesday, July 14th, The Guardian reports, citing the Erie County sheriff’s office. 

The “Party Up” rapper was arrested on June 26th, prior to a scheduled performance at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, forcing him to miss the Masters of Ceremony concert – which also featured appearances from Mase, Rakim, Pete Rock, the Lox and others. DMX was apprehended by New York Sheriff deputies based on multiple outstanding warrants. 

In addition to the $400,000 in child support owed to Erie County, a separate arrest warrant from White Plains, New York cited DMX with bail jumping. A warrant from Yonkers accused the rapper of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, with an additional complaint naming DMX as a suspect in an April 5th robbery at a New Jersey gas station.

In the latter incident, a 21-year-old man accused a member of DMX’s entourage of pointing a gun and demanding money. The victim claims that the rapper himself grabbed $3,200 out of his hand before fleeing in one of four black Escalades. No charges were filed that night, and DMX performed a show that same evening. 

The rapper’s prison sentence is the latest in a string of legal issues. In recent years, DMX has faced charges of drug and weapons possession, driving under the influence, reckless driving, animal cruelty, dog fighting and probation infractions. 

Redemption of the Beast, an album bearing the DMX name, was issued in January via Seven Arts Music, though the rapper’s management denied its legitimacy, calling it an unauthorized release. DMX’s most recent official LP, Undisputed, came out in 2012.