The Chicago Police Department has a few hours ago released a statement online that confirms the arrest of Empire star, Jussie Smollett in a Class 4 felony charge of a false Police report, that could see him getting up to 3-years in prison and a fine of $24,000.
According to the spokesperson of Chicago Police Department Anthony Guglielmi, Empire star Jussie Smollett is under arrest and in custody of detectives,”
He adds that a press briefing is expected shortly ahead of Smollett’s court appearance. In a separate statement, CPD deputy director of news affairs Tom Ahern further specified that Smollett was in the custody of detectives.
“Jussie Smollet is under arrest and in custody of detectives. At 9 am at Chicago Police Headquarters, Supt Eddie Johnson, Commander of Area Central Detectives Edward Wodnicki will brief reporters on the investigation prior to the defendant’s appearance in court.” the statement reads.
This new report is coming after the Empire star was formally classified as a suspect by police and subsequently charged.
CNN reports that the Empire star was taken into custody around 5 a.m. CT ahead of a 1:30 p.m. bail hearing.
Smollett faces a felony charge of disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false report claiming he was attacked by two men, including one who was masked, in the early morning of January 29 in Chicago. He alleged they yelled racist and homophobic slurs, tied a rope around his neck and poured an unknown substance on him.
At the time, police said they were treating the attack against the black and gay actor as a hate crime.
But in the weeks since the alleged attack first made headlines, the narrative has unravelled with several twists, transforming him from a victim to a suspect
In their most recent statement, Smollett’s attorneys promised an “aggressive defense” in response to the latest developments. “Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked,” the team said Wednesday. “Given these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense.”