Hip-hop artist The Game was charged with hitting an off-duty officer, the Associated Press reports.
The incident happened on March 29 during a basketball game at Hollywood High School. The 35-year-old Compton rapper (born Jayceon Terrell Taylor) played on a team against the team of off-duty Los Angeles police officer Onyebuchi Awaji, as HNGN previously reported. The altercation happened when an argument about a foul on The Game during the basketball game escalated.
Video footage allegedly shows The Game approach Awaji, throwing a punch and hitting Awaji on the side of his face. Awaji later filed a lawsuit against The Game, claiming that the impact caused him serious brain injury.
Shortly after Awaji filed his lawsuit, a warrant was issued for the rapper's arrest. The Game arrived at the LAPD Hollywood station on June 8 to turn himself in.
Prosecutors at the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said The Game also threatened to kill Awaji, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Game was charged with one felony count of making criminal threats and one count of misdemeanor assault and battery. He pleaded not guilty to his charges on Monday and was released on $50,000 bail. He's due back in court on July 30 and faces up to three years in prison if he's found guilty.
