Lil Nas X, the 26-year-old rapper known for his hit "Old Town Road," is facing serious legal trouble after being arrested in Los Angeles last week. The artist, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, has been charged with four felonies, including three counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer.
The incident occurred on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, Los Angeles, around 6 a.m. on August 21st. According to police reports, officers responded to calls about a nude man walking in the street. Upon arrival, they encountered Hill, who they say was completely naked or wearing only underwear and cowboy boots. Police allege that when they approached him, Hill "charged at" the officers.
Following the alleged altercation, Lil Nas X was taken into custody. Suspecting a possible overdose, police transported him to a local hospital for evaluation. He was later booked at the LAPD's Valley Jail in Van Nuys.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney has filed four felony charges against Hill. These include three counts of battery with injury on a police officer, indicating that at least three officers sustained injuries during the alleged incident. He also faces one felony count of resisting an executive officer. Initially, he was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor obstructing an officer.
Lil Nas X appeared in a Van Nuys courthouse on Monday, August 25th, and pleaded not guilty to all four felony charges. Bail was initially set at $300,000, but the judge agreed to lower it to $75,000, considering Hill's lack of prior convictions and assessment as not being a flight risk. The judge also ordered that if Hill posts bail, he must attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings and is barred from possessing or using illegal narcotics.
Outside the courthouse, Hill's father, Robert Stafford, told reporters that his son was "great" and requested continued prayers.
Footage obtained by TMZ shows the rapper walking down Ventura Boulevard in only his underwear and cowboy boots before the arrest. In another video, the singer is seen fully naked. In the video, Lil Nas X is pointing at the camera and placing an orange traffic cone on his head. He is also heard telling the person filming, "Hey, don't be late to the party tonight. You know where it's at".
If convicted on all charges, Lil Nas X could face several years in prison and significant fines. According to California penal code, convictions for felony battery on a police officer and resisting an executive officer can result in jail time of up to three years and a $10,000 fine for each charge.
Lil Nas X rose to fame in 2018 with his hit song "Old Town Road," which blended country and hip-hop. The song spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. His first full studio album, "Montero," was released in 2021 and nominated for a Grammy Award for album of the year.
As of August 25th, 2025, representatives for Lil Nas X have not issued an official statement regarding the arrest and charges. The case remains under investigation, and further details are expected to emerge following court proceedings.
