Lil Nas X’s father says the Grammy-winning star is remorseful and focused on moving forward after his recent arrest in Los Angeles.
Robert Stafford spoke to reporters on Monday (Aug. 25), sharing that his son — born Montero Hill — is “very remorseful for what occurred” during his Aug. 21 arrest.
Police had responded to reports of the musician allegedly walking naked along Ventura Blvd.
“He’s going to get the help that he needs and just keep him in your prayers,” Stafford told TMZ. “Give him the same grace and mercy that God gives everyone.”
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Stafford said the two shared an emotional but encouraging conversation.
“He’s doing well mentally. We cry, we cry laughing, but he’s in a great mood,” he added. “He’s gonna do well.”
Facing Charges, but in ‘Great Spirits’
The “Old Town Road” singer, 26, pleaded not guilty on Aug. 25 to three counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer.
He waived arraignment, and his bail was set at $75,000.
A judge also ordered him to attend four Narcotics Anonymous meetings each week.
Although early reports suggested Hill may have been hospitalized for a drug overdose, both his father and his attorney denied any drug use.
‘An Absolute Aberration’
Stafford told reporters his son “absolutely” did “not” take illegal drugs.
Defense attorney Christy O’Connor also insisted there was no evidence of drug involvement, describing the incident as “an absolute aberration” in Hill’s life.
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“Nothing like that has ever happened to him,” O’Connor told the court, per the Associated Press.
If convicted, Hill could face up to five years in prison, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.
“Assaulting police officers is not only a crime against individual police officers but a direct assault on public safety,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement.
He added, “Anyone who assaults law enforcement officers will face full accountability, regardless of who they are and how well-known they are.”
From Record-Breaking Success to Legal Troubles
Lil Nas X first rose to fame in 2019 with “Old Town Road,” which spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The smash hit remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.
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Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
