Chicago Rapper Twista Arrested for Marijuana Before Indiana Show: Police

Twista told NBC Chicago in an emailed statement the incident wasn’t the best use of taxpayer money

Chicago rapper Twista was arrested on a drug charge late Thursday in Indiana on route to a performance, according to police. 

Twista, whose legal name is Carl Terrell Mitchell, was arrested after a Rolls Royce he was inside of was pulled over on U.S. 6–eastbound from Willowcreek Road in Portage, Indiana, for following a truck too closely, Porter County police said in a release.

Porter County Police Cpl. Paul Czupryn smelled an odor of “raw marijuana” as he approached the vehicle, according to the release. The driver of the vehicle, 42-year-old Johnnie Euell, admitted he was driving close to the person ahead of him because he knew the motorist. Euell also said he had the 42-year-old rapper in the vehicle and that the group of men -- four total -- were headed to Big Shots concerts venue in South Haven.

Euell admitted that he, Mitchell, and the two other occupants had smoked marijuana shortly before the traffic stop, according to the release. A search of the vehicle revealed half an ounce of marijuana concealed in a fake can. All occupants denied ownership of the can and were taken into custody without incident.

Mitchell, Euell, and the two passengers, Michael Alton Moore of Matteson, 43, and Darrin Jamar Woody, 26, were each charged with one misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana, according to the release. A judge ordered a $500 cash bond for each.

Porter County sheriff’s police said its department, Indiana State Police, Portage police and other law enforcement agencies have been ramping up patrols ahead of the concert because of past incidents at the venue.

“The information we received regarding the two [artists] booked at Big Shots (Twista on March 24 and Montana of 300 on March 25) alleged they would bring a large crowd to the area,” Porter County Sheriff David Reynolds said in a statement. “In the past, violence had erupted at these rap artists’ concerts.”

Twista responded to the arrest in an emailed statement:

“I think the Indiana police could of spent the tax payers' money arresting someone else with a more serious crime other than me. This is 2016, getting arrested for weed is like getting arrested for jay walking.”

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