Award-Winning Rapper Coolio Charged With Illegal Firearm Possession

Grammy award winner rapper Coolio was indicted for unlawful firearm possession on Thursday. The charges stemmed from a gun that prosecutors said was discovered in his backpack last month. The firearm was detected during screening at Los Angeles International Airport.

The rapper’s real name is Artis Leon Ivey. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that if convicted, Ivey could be sentenced to as much as three years in state prison.

Prosecutors said the recording star was prohibited from carrying a gun because of two prior felony convictions. He was charged for carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle in 2001. Furthermore, in 2009, the court convicted him for possession of cocaine base.

Coolio was slated to appear in Los Angeles Superior Court for an arraignment on Thursday, District Attorney spokesman Ricardo Santiago said. However, the hearing was deferred until Oct.26 after his lawyer notified the judge that the rap artist was out of state performing.

A warrant for the rappers arrest would be issued if he failed to show for the latter court date.

The recording star is best known for his 1995 Grammy Award-winning hit “Gangsta’s Paradise”. The hit song was at the top of the US chart that year and one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Loaded pistol was stolen

A stolen, loaded pistol was detected in Coolio’s backpack on the X-ray screening belt while his entourage was going past security to get on a flight on the way to a concert, LAX police who arrested the rapper said.

LAX police spokesman Rob Pedregon said another member of the entourage originally claimed ownership of the bag. Nevertheless, the evidence pointed police to Coolio. Police then accosted the recording artist, who was aboard the plane at the time.

Pedregon said Coolio admitted under questioning that the backpack and gun were his. However, little else was said after he was taken into custody.

Meanwhile, the case remains under investigation.

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