Update:
Press Briefing: Jussie Smollet is under arrest and in custody of detectives. At 9am at #ChicagoPolice Headquarters, Supt Eddie Johnson, Commander of Area Central Detectives Edward Wodnicki will brief reporters on the investigation prior to the defendants appearance in court. pic.twitter.com/9PSv8Ojec2
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 21, 2019
Original Story:
A spokesman for the Chicago Police Department revealed on Wednesday that actor Jussie Smollett has been charged with a crime in connection with an alleged hate-crime attack he claimed took place last month.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Anthony Guglielmi issued a statement earlier in the day confirming that the “Empire” start was considered a suspect in filing a false police report, a Class 4 felony count. At that time, he said investigators were presenting evidence they had gathered in the case to a grand jury.
Guglielmi subsequently updated that statement, indicating that police will “make contact with his legal team to negotiate a reasonable surrender for his arrest,” as reported by Variety.
Felony criminal charges have been approved by @CookCountySAO against Jussie Smollett for Disorderly Conduct / Filing a False Police Report. Detectives will make contact with his legal team to negotiate a reasonable surrender for his arrest. pic.twitter.com/LvBSYE2kVj
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 21, 2019
Smollett had been at the center of speculation that he orchestrated an attack on January 29, which he reported to police as perpetrated by two men shouting racist and homophobic slurs.
RELATED: Sources say Jussie Smollett now suspected of sending himself threatening homophobic letter
If convicted of the charge he is expected to face, the actor could spend up to three years behind bars but would also be eligible for a shorter or even probated sentence.
After initially backing Smollett in public statements, neither Fox and 20th Century Fox TV nor Smollett’s representatives immediately responded to the most recent developments.
[Featured image: Jussie Smollett, Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP]
