Phoenix, Alabama, December 31: Rap artist DMX has pleaded guilty to multiple drug possession, theft and animal cruelty charges. He faces at least 90 days in jail, when he returns to an Arizona court for sentencing in a month.
The rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, on Tuesday pleaded to one count of animal cruelty, one count of theft, and one count each of felony possession of marijuana and a narcotic drug, in Maricopa County Superior Court. He also agreed not to own any animals or possess firearms, all under a deal to settle the three criminal cases against him.
Hearing for sentencing has been scheduled for Jan.30.
The 38-year-old rapper will stay in custody until sentencing, and will not be given credit for time already served.
"I am pleased that this defendant will be held accountable for both his drug and animal cruelty offenses," County Attorney Andrew Thomas said in a statement.
The court will dismiss additional charges against the rapper, who has been arrested several times in the past year and skipped quite-a-few court dates.
DMX was arrested on drug and animal cruelty charges after sheriff's deputies raided his home and found dog carcasses and malnourished pit bulls, in May.
The rapper was also charged with possession of marijuana.
In April, DMX was charged with faking his identity and providing false information to escape the bill, when he visited the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Over the year, the already troubled star, made it worse for himself by skipping court dates, which led a county court commissioner to issue bench warrants for his arrest, the latest being issued earlier this month.
If this time the rapper does not comply or violates probation after his jail term, he could face more than 10 years in prison.
His attorney Charles Kozelka could not be reached for comment.
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