DMX facing animal cruelty charges

azfamily.com

PHOTOS: 2007 raid on DMX home
VIDEO: House raid in '07
LINK: Rapper caught speeding on photo-radar
RAW: Released from 4th Ave Jail

PHOENIX, AZ -- Sheriff Deputies have arrested Earl Simmons, popularly known as rapper DMX, after conducting a pre-dawn raid at his home early Friday morning.

Deputies served a search warrant at the rapper's house after a seven month investigation. During the raid deputies seized a number of weapons and drugs. Currently Simmons is in Fouth Avenue Jail on seven counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and four counts of felony drug possession.

During the search, members of the tactical squad say that the rapper attempted to barricade himself inside his bedroom. He eventually came out with no further resistance. Deputies also found 5 pit bull mix puppies that were taken to be cared for by female inmates at the First Avenue Jail.

Also, deputies are currently serving a search warrant at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale pertaining to a possible fraud scheme involving Simmons. Authorities are not releasing more details on that investigation at this time.

The investigation into Simmons began in the summer of 2007 after complaints were recorded that he had neglected animals at his house in Cave Creek. Deputies obtained a search warrant for the house in August of 2007 and took 12 dogs off of the property that were malnourished and dehydrated. Investigators also took 3 dog carcasses that were partially buried on the property. Investigators believe one of the carcasses may have been burned.