Lil Nas X pleads not guilty to four felony charges after LA arrest

Rapper Lil Nas X has pleaded not guilty to four felony charges, including injuring a police officer and resisting arrest, after he was found wandering the streets of Los Angeles in his underwear.

The “Old Town Road” singer, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, was reportedly arrested and taken to hospital 21 August, after the Los Angeles Police Department was called to Ventura Boulevard at 05:30 in the morning.

LAPD responded to reports of a man walking down the street in his underwear.

According to the BBC, Lil Nas X is facing three felony counts of battery with injury to a police officer and one felony count of resisting arrest. If convicted, he could face a maximum of five years in prison.

Police have claimed that when they responded to calls, Lil Nas X allegedly charged at them.

He was taken to hospital for a possible overdose after the altercation, according to authorities.

The Montero hitmaker was reportedly arraigned in an LA courthouse, 25 August. According to CBS, his bail was set at $75,000 (£55,456).

Unverified videos published by TMZ appear to show the rapper walking through the streets of Los Angeles in white underwear and white cowboy boots. Subsequent videos appear to show the same man naked.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said (via the BBC) on Monday, “Attacking police officers is more than just a crime against those individuals but a direct threat to public safety.

“Anyone who assaults law enforcement will face serious consequences, no matter who they are or how famous they may be.”

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that one of Lil Nas X’s attorneys, Christy O’Connor, said in court: “Assuming the allegations here are true, this is an absolute aberration in this person’s life.

“Nothing like this has ever happened to him.”

TMZ reports that Lil Nas X has now left jail, where he spent the weekend, on bail.

The rapper was expected to release his second studio album Dreamboy later in 2025.

He was admitted to hospital in April after “losing control” of the right side of his face.

Lil Nas X is the first out gay musician to receive a Country Music Association Award for “Old Town Road” in 2019. He has won two Grammy Awards, and angered conservatives by using religious imagery in several of his music videos and lyrics – including giving the devil a lap dance for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)“.