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Lil Nas X’s father is speaking out in defense of his son after the Grammy-winning musician pleaded not guilty to four felony charges that came in the wake of his alleged assaults on three different police officers.
Robert Stafford told reporters, including NBC News and TMZ, that Lil Nas X (né Montero Hill) is “very remorseful for what happened” on Aug. 21, when he was arrested after cops responded to reports of him allegedly walking naked along Ventura Blvd. in Los Angeles.
“He’s going to get the help that he needs and just keep him in your prayers,” Stafford said on Monday, Aug. 25. “Give him the same grace and mercy that God gives everyone.”
Stafford added that the “Old Town Road” singer, 26, is “in good spirits,” and the two had a positive conversation.
“He’s doing great mentally. We shed tears, we shed laughter, but he’s in great spirits,” he said. “He’s gonna be great.”
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A criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE notes that Hill “did unlawfully use force and violence and inflict an injury” upon three different police officers, and “should have known that said person was a peace officer then and there engaged in the performance of duty.”
The complaint notes that the musician “did unlawfully attempt by means of threats and violence to deter and prevent” a fourth officer “from performing a duty imposed upon such officer by law.”
Hill pleaded not guilty to three counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer in court on Aug. 25. He waived his arraignment, and his bail was set at $75,000. A judge also ordered the star to attend four Narcotics Anonymous meetings per week.
Though reports indicated that Hill had been hospitalized for a drug overdose, Stafford told reporters that his son “absolutely” did “not” take illegal drugs. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department previously confirmed to PEOPLE that Hill was taken to the hospital for treatment after his arrest.
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Attorney Christy O’Connor told the court there was no evidence that any drugs were involved in the Aug. 21 incident, and noted that Hill has no criminal history and does not present a flight risk, according to NBC News.
“Assuming the allegations here are true, this is an absolute aberration in this person’s life,” she said, according to the Associated Press. “Nothing like this has ever happened to him.”
He could face up to five years in prison if convicted, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.
“Attacking police officers is more than just a crime against those individuals but a direct threat to public safety,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement. “Anyone who assaults law enforcement will face serious consequences, no matter who they are or how famous they may be.”
The star rose to fame in 2019 with the release of his debut single “Old Town Road,” which spent a record-breaking 19 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.
