Grammy-winning rapper Montero Hill, known professionally as Lil Nas X, faces serious legal troubles after being charged with multiple felony counts for allegedly assaulting police officers in Studio City, California. The 26-year-old artist was arrested in the early morning hours of August 21, 2025, after police responded to public calls reporting a nude individual walking along Ventura Avenue.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Hill allegedly became combative when officers attempted to take him into custody, resulting in injuries to at least three responding officers. The incident prompted prosecutors to file four felony charges against the rapper: three counts of battery with injury on police officers and one count of resisting an executive officer, which could result in up to five years imprisonment if he’s convicted.
Rapper faced multiple felony charges after allegedly injuring officers, potentially leading to significant prison time.
Hill appeared at the Van Nuys Courthouse on August 25, 2025, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges during his arraignment. The court set bail at $75,000, reflecting concerns about either flight risk or public safety, and scheduled a preliminary hearing for September 15, 2025.
District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman emphasized the seriousness of the allegations in a statement, noting, “Assaulting law enforcement officers represents a serious threat to public safety, regardless of the defendant’s celebrity status.”
The case is being prosecuted by the Van Nuys Branch of the District Attorney’s Office, following an investigation by the LAPD North Hollywood Division. The case has been assigned case number 25VWCF01389 in the Los Angeles County court system.
This legal battle comes at a critical time for the artist whose music royalties are managed through performance rights organizations that collect and distribute payments for public performances of his hit songs. Industry experts note that legal issues could potentially impact Hill’s sync licensing deals for his music in film and television productions.
The unusual circumstances of the encounter—Hill allegedly walking naked in public before the confrontation with police—have drawn significant media attention. Court documents indicate the incident occurred around 5:40 a.m., though details about what preceded the encounter remain limited.
While the case progresses through the legal system, Hill maintains the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The charges against him are currently allegations that must be proven in court.
If convicted, however, the Grammy winner could face substantial legal penalties that would impact both his criminal record and public reputation.
