Juvenile News

(1/31/03, 1 p.m. ET) -- New Orleans-based rapper Juvenile (Terius Gray) and three other men were arrested during a traffic stop in New Orleans on Wednesday (January 29). The rapper and Darrell Mitchell, 30, Alvin Gus, 29, and Morris Pete, 39, were arrested when they were pulled over during an insurance check by police at 11:15 a.m. CT at the intersection of Bienville Street and Claiborne Avenue.

Police smelled the strong scent of marijuana when the rented 2003 Lincoln Town Car proceeded through the checkpoint, according to reports. After pulling over the vehicle, officers found two marijuana cigarettes burning in the ashtray. Police also discovered small amounts of marijuana on Gus, who was driving, and Pete, who was in the back seat. According to New Orleans police department spokesman Sergeant Paul Accardo, a small amount of cocaine was also discovered in the trunk.

All four men were booked and charged with marijuana and cocaine possession. Juvenile was out on bail as of press time, while the other three men were still awaiting for bail to be set.

Juvenile has had his share of run-ins with the police. The rapper was arrested and charged with simple battery and simple burglary in September of 2002 in New Orleans. The arrest stemmed from an incident in May of 2002 when Juvenile allegedly punched his barber, Bert Williams, and then two unidentified associates of the rapper took $200 from Williams's pockets. According to police, Juvenile and Williams got into an argument because Williams has allegedly bootlegged copies of Juvenile's upcoming album from an advance CD he'd received from the rapper.

In March of 2001, Juvenile was charged with aggravated battery with a bottle, battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest without violence in Miami. According to a police report, two witnesses claimed to have seen Juvenile assault Jackson Saint Ange, 28, with a bottle of Moet when the two had a heated exchange outside of the Improv Comedy Club.

-- Yves Erwin Salomon, New York

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