Rapper Coolio Sentenced To Probation, Community Service For Carrying Handgun At LAX
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Rapper Coolio entered into a plea deal Wednesday for carrying a handgun in a backpack at Los Angeles International Airport.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Coolio - whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey - was immediately sentenced to three years probation and 45 days of community service after his no contest plea to a felony count of carrying a concealed firearm.
Ivey was told he can have the felony count reduced to a misdemeanor after the first year, but if found in possession of even one bullet, he'd be in violation of probation and find himself back in front of a judge.
The 53-year-old rapper was charged Oct. 13 with a single count of felony possession of a firearm by a felon with two priors.
According to airport police, Ivey was arrested Sept. 17 at LAX after officers were called to Terminal 3 for report of a prohibited item at a TSA screening station.
Police seized the bag and detained a person who claimed to own the bag, however, officers determined the bag contained items belonging to Ivey who had already boarded an aircraft.
Authorities escorted Ivey off the plane.
He admitted the bag belonged to him and was subsequently arrested.
Ivey was released on bail later that day.
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