CAVE CREEK, Ariz. -- Rapper DMX was arrested at his Cave Creek home Friday morning and booked into jail on seven counts of animal cruelty and four counts of drug possession, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said.
It was the second time he was arrested in the Phoenix area this week.
DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, attempted to barricade himself in his bedroom as a SWAT team served a search warrant but eventually came out, offered no further resistance, and was booked into Fourth Avenue Jail, according to the MCSO's tactical unit.
Deputies said a number of drugs were seized as well as five pit bull mix puppies, which were taken by the sheriff's animal cruelty unit specialists to the First Avenue Jail. They will remain under the care of female inmates.
"A guy like this DMX character with all his money and fame has no excuse for not providing proper care for his animals," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.
Sheriff's deputies are currently serving a search warrant on the Mayo Clinic at 56th Street and Mayo Drive in Scottsdale in connection with a potential fraud scheme involving the rapper, Arpaio said.
Simmons was booked into jail on one count of narcotic drug possession, three counts of marijuana possession, three counts of drug paraphernalia possession and seven counts of animal cruelty. His bond was set at $7,500. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 15.
The animal cruelty investigation began on Aug. 24, when sheriff’s investigators raided the rapper’s home.
SLIDESHOW: 8/25/07 - Deputies Raid DMX HomeDuring last summer’s raid, authorities seized 12 live pit bulls, numerous weapons, and found about a quarter-ounce of marijuana in a bedroom, Arpaio said. The sheriff initially said a half-pound of suspected narcotics was found, but tests showed the substance was not illegal drugs.
Sheriff's investigators were tipped to possible animal neglect in early August, and questioned a man at the home who said he was being paid to care for the dogs, but planned to go on vacation and didn't know who would replace him. No one was home when police raided the home days later.
The man told CBS 5 News the dogs did not have adequate food, water or shade. He also said the dogs had not been used for fighting.
The 36-year-old rapper has had previous run-ins with the law.
On Wednesday, Simmons was arrested on charges of racing on a highway after speed cameras on a Phoenix-area freeway caught him going 114 mph, Arizona Department of Public Safety officers said.
He was booked on charges of racing on a highway, reckless driving, two counts of endangerment and three counts of criminal speed and driving on a suspended license.
Simmons was photographed on Jan. 21 by stationary cameras on the northbound lanes of the Loop 101 driving a 1966 Chevy Nova II at a speed of 100 mph, DPS officers said.
One minute later as his car reached the Loop 101 at Cactus Road, cameras recorded Simmons' speed at 114 mph, officers said.
Less than three minutes later Simmons was caught on camera at 101 mph, officers said. The posted speed limit is 65 mph.
VIDEO: Rapper Accused Of Speeding 114 MPH Simmons posted bond and was released.
In June 2006, Scottsdale police cited him for carrying a concealed handgun outside a nightclub.
He also served 70 days in jail in 2005 for violating his parole following a 2004 incident in which he posed as an undercover federal agent and crashed his sport utility vehicle through a security gate at Kennedy International Airport.
Simmons was also fined and ordered to make public service announcements for the Humane Society after police found pipes for smoking crack cocaine, a pistol and 13 pit bulls at his home in Teaneck, N.J. in 1999. He pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia in that case.
DMX recorded the 1999 hit single "Party Up (Up in Here)." His last album, "Year of the Dog ... Again," was released last year.
ELSEWHERE ON KPHO.COM: A 51-year-old man married a teenage girl and then invited other men to have sex with her while he took photographs, said sheriff's deputies in Ash Fork. CLICK HERE for details.MORE SLIDESHOWS: From the bizarre to the tragic to late-breaking news, visit the KPHO.com slideshow section and click away! CLICK HERE for images.Copyright 2009 by KPHO.com. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
