Rapper Jay-Z Arrested for Gun Possession

N E W  Y O R K, April 13 -- Grammy-winning rapper Jay-Z and three other menwere arrested early this morning outside a Manhattan nightclub and heldon charges of illegal gun possession despite the fact that only oneman was allegedly carrying a weapon.

"Once the facts come to light, Jay-Z will be fullyexonerated," the rapper's lawyer, Stacey Richman, said outside theMidtown North Precinct where he and the others were questioned.

Jay-Z is one of many rap stars to be indicted recently.

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, was detained shortlyafter 3 a.m. when his bodyguard, Hamzah Hewitt, allegedly was foundwith a loaded handgun in his waistband, said a law enforcementsource, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Police earlier had said the weapon was found inside the 2001Chevrolet Suburban in which Jay-Z was riding.

Rapper Made Quick Appearance at Nightclub Before Arrest

Members of the police department's Street Crime Unit werepatrolling the neighborhood near the Club Exit nightclub onManhattan's West Side when they saw Jay-Z and two other men enterthe club while a driver stayed in the vehicle, the law enforcementsource said.

The rapper and his two friends were in the club for only about20 minutes when they left and got back in the Suburban. One of theStreet Crime officers then allegedly saw Hewitt carrying a handgunas he climbed into the front passenger seat, the source said.

As the vehicle pulled away from the club, police stopped thevehicle and found the loaded, Glock semiautomatic handgun,allegedly in Hewitt's waistband. All four were charged withthird-degree criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

Along with Jay-Z, 31, and Hewitt, 39, police detained RomeroChambers, 43, and Tyran Smith, 28. Their relationship to the rapperwas not immediately known.

Today's incident was not Jay-Z's first run-in with the law. Hewas indicted in January 2000 for allegedly stabbing a recordexecutive during a nightclub brawl. He has a court appearance inthat case scheduled for Monday.