Actor Jussie Smollett may spend over a year in prison if he’s found guilty of recently filed charges. He was arrested by Chicago police yesterday evening.
The Cook County State’s Attorney office has charged the Empire actor for allegedly filing a false police report about a January 29 attack.
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
Smollett’s case got national attention when he reported to Chicago police that he was attacked by two men who used racist and homophobic epithets and tied a noose around his neck.
Investigators apprehended and held two brothers, Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, as persons of interest, and they reportedly said that they were hired by Smollett to stage an attack, according to unnamed sources.
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The FBI is also investigating Smollett’s possible involvement in a hate-filled letter he received at the studio where Empire is recorded.
Related: Ellen & Kevin Hart are getting torn apart on Twitter for their Jussie Smollett tweets
Chicago police last night said that Smollett was being charged with felony disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report.
Smollett faces a class 4 felony charge and can be punished with one to three years of jail time if convicted. He can also be forced to pay for the cost of the investigation. He is expected in court this afternoon.
“Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked,” a statement prepared by Smollett’s lawyers.
“Given these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense.”
The FBI and USPIS are investigating the threat sent to the Fox studio separately.