UPDATE: Thursday morning

DMX appeared in court Thursday.

PHOENIX -- Rapper DMX, aka Earl Simmons, didn't have a lot to say on his way into court Thursday morning.

Simmons was arrested Friday after investigators raided his Cave Creek home. That raid came after previous indictments on animal cruelty and drug charges.

Investigators said they found both drugs and weapons during their search. Those discoveries could lead to addition charges.

DMX's attorney, Cameron Morgan, said the rapper wasn't in town at the time because he was on tour.

"There was a caretaker there," Morgan said. "The caretaker was paid money to take care of the animals and, apparently, he didn't do his job."

"It's not a pleasant situation," Simmons said on his way into the courtroom.

He added that he's using prayer to get through these times.

Last August, investigators searched the home and found several malnourished dogs, as well a drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Simmons is due back in court on July 2.

ORIGINAL STORY

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.