Soulja Boy Arrested on Weapons Charges in Los Angeles

Soulja Boy, known for his hit 'Crank That,' was taken into custody early Sunday morning amidst ongoing legal issues including a recent sexual assault verdict.

US rapper Soulja Boy, born DeAndre Cortez Way, was arrested in Los Angeles early Sunday morning on suspicion of weapons charges, as reported by US media outlets. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed to CBS News that the incident occurred around 2:35 am local time in the Melrose area, where officers initiated a traffic stop. During the stop, they allegedly found that Way, a passenger in the vehicle, was in possession of a firearm.

The 35-year-old artist, who gained fame with his 2007 hit "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," is now facing serious allegations as he was apprehended on suspicion of illegally possessing a firearm as a felon. CBS, in collaboration with the BBC, has reached out to the rapper's representatives for further comments regarding this incident.

This arrest comes shortly after Soulja Boy was ordered to pay $4.25 million in a civil case concerning claims of sexual battery. The lawsuit was filed by an unnamed woman who accused him of repeated abuse, claiming he not only assaulted her regularly but also held her captive when she worked as his assistant. While Soulja Boy denied these accusations, stating their relationship was consensual, a jury found him liable for gender violence, sexual battery, and assault, leading to the hefty monetary judgment against him.