DUIs, bar fights, and drug charges, oh my! This list of celebrity arrests in 2015 includes some of the biggest, most famous people in the world who have recently found themselves in trouble with the law. These stars have made headlines both for their legitimate pursuits and for less upstanding reasons. Hey, no press is bad press, right?
These trouble-making celebrities are no strangers to scandal. But which of their high-profile arrests caused the biggest stir in 2015? You’ll have to wait until the end of the year to find out. One thing is certain, if a musician, actor, athlete or other big name gets thrown in jail, you’ll find them right here on this list.
With all of that money and fame, we’ll never understand why these celebs can’t stay out of trouble. Whether they are getting charged with run of the mill (but still terrible) crimes like drunk driving, fighting in bars, or stealing, or with more serious issues like sexual assault, you can find out all of the police station and court room detail here. There’s no end to the drama for these stars!
Some celebrities arrested in 2015 will be taken into custody more than once. If that happens, they'll be listed here and they might even get their very own own list (like Justin Bieber, who's done some pretty awful things in his few short). Want to learn more about repeat offenders? Check out this list of celebrities arrested in 2014.
Celebrities Arrested in 2015,
Afroman
February 17, 2015: Ordinarily calm (aka stoned) rapper Afroman stunned the crowd in Biloxi, Mississippi when he punched a woman who climbed on stage during his show. As she danced next to him, Afroman unleashed a surprise hit straight to her jaw, knocking her down. He claims he didn't know if the victim was a man or a woman, he was just reacting to an intruder on stage. Afroman was later booked for assault and released after paying $330 bond.
Read more:
TMZ, Noisey, Stereogum
Emile Hirsch
February 12, 2015: Into the Wild star Emile Hirsch, 29, was charged with one felony count of assault for choking a woman during the Sundance Film Festival. Dani Bernfeld, the VP of Digital Entertainment at Paramount Pictures, was hanging out with friends at Tao Nightclub when a drunken Hirsch approached her.
He allegedly asked her if she was a spoiled rich kid who didn't belong there, then walked away. He returned later and put her in choke hold before pulling her to the ground, getting on top of her, and wrapping his hands around her neck. Two bystanders had to pull Hirsch off of Bernfeld. He could face up to five years in Utah state prison.
Read more:
Variety, Huffington Post, TMZ
Geezer Butler
January 28, 2015: Sixty-five-year-old Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler was arrested in Death Valley, California after getting into a bar fight. He was charged with misdemeanor assault, public intoxication and vandalism after the altercation led to a broken window at the Corkscrew Saloon in Furnace Creek Ranch. Butler was released from county jail after "detox and citation."
Read more:
Rolling Stone, BBC, The Guardian
Nicholas Brendon
February 17, 2015: Just three days after announcing plans to separate from his wife, Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon was arrested for grand theft and criminal mischief. The actor reportedly trashed his hotel room at a Florida Hilton, then refused to pay the $450 in damages and $380 in food and drink charges he'd racked up. He was found drunkenly passed out in a staffers office.
It's not the first time Brendon has been in trouble with the law. He got into a scuffle in 2014, which he blamed on mixing pain meds with alcohol.
Read more:
People, TMZ, Page Six
Robert Durst
March 15: Robert Durst, member of the Durst family real estate dynasty in New York, and subject of a six-part HBO documentary called The Jinx, was arrested for first-degree murder. Durst, 71, had long been suspected of killing his wife, his wife's friend Susan Berman, and his neighbor Morris Black, whose body was found completely dismembered. Durst was acquitted of the murder of Black in the early 2000s, but was finally arrested in New Orleans in connection with the death of Berman.
The arrest was possibly spurred by new evidence uncovered by the HBO documentary team. According to the New York Times:
"In a scene during the "Jinx" episode on Sunday, Ms. Berman's stepson, Sareb Kaufman, calls the documentary's producer Marc Smerling to say that he had discovered a 1999 letter from Mr. Durst to Ms. Berman among the boxes of her belongings in his apartment.
Comparing the two notes, a visibly shaken Mr. Kaufman notes that the block lettering used on the envelope of the newly discovered letter appears to be identical to the lettering on the "cadaver" note. And Beverly Hills is misspelled as "Beverley" on both notes."
Read more:
The New York Times
Suge Knight
January 30, 2015: After fatally running over a man in Compton, California, Suge Knight was charged with murder. The music mogel turned himself in to the LAPD at 3:00am and was formally arrested at 4:15.
According to CNN, the hit-and-run occurred after two fights- one on the set of the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton and the second in a parking lot. After the fights, Knight tracked the victim, a man named Terry Carter, and another man named Cle Sloan, and ran them over with his truck. Twice. His bail is set at $2 million.
Read more:
CNN, TMZ,
Vanilla Ice
February 18, 2015: Vanilla Ice (aka Robert Van Winkle) was arrested for a burglary and grand theft. The arrest happened at Ice's Lantana, Florida home, where he was busy filming his home renovation show, The Vanilla Ice Project.
Police charged Ice after a break in at the house next door to one that he was renovating. Furniture, a pool heater, bicycles, and other items were taken and later turned up at his Palm Beach County home. They were returned to their rightful owner and Vanilla Ice has been cooperative.
Read more:
Variety, TMZ
Wes Scantlin
January 21, 2015: Puddle of Mudd frontman Wes Scantlin was playing out all of our childhood dreams when he allegedly (and illegally) attempted to ride the baggage carousel at Denver International Airport.
The band was in Denver for a show, but upon arrival, Scantlin "accessed a restricted area." He eventually ran behind the carousel and out of an alarmed door. He was bailed out of jail by a fan and eventually made it to the gig, although it did start a little late.
Source:
LA Times
Ricardo Medina Jr.
Update: 2/4/2014: Medina was released after prosecutors declined to press charges, but the investigation is still ongoing. (Huffington Post)
January 31, 2015: Ricard Medina Jr., best know for playing a Power Ranger in the television series Power Rangers Wild Force and Power Rangers Samurai, was arrested at his home in Palmdale, California after killing his roommate with a sword.
According to the LA Sheriff's Department, Medina, 36, and his roommate, Joshua Sutter, also 36, got into a physical altercation that quickly escalated. Medina claims he was in his room with his girlfriend when Sutter forced his way in. Medina then grabbed a sword he keeps by his bed (!) and stabbed Sutter in the stomach.
Read more:
Huffington Post, TMZ, ABC News
The Weekend
January 10, 2015: The Weekend was arrested in Las Vegas for allegedly punching a cop after an incident at the Cromwell Hotel. Police reports aren't clear as to whether the incident was physical or verbal, but when police arrived, the R&B singer (real name Abel Tesfaye) is said to have "struck the officer in the side of the head with a closed fist."
After the altercation, Tesfaye posted an Instagram picture of himself getting on a private plan with the caption, "Escaped from Las Vegas."