A judge has permitted Lil Nas X to participate in a mental health diversion program aimed at potentially dismissing charges related to an alleged assault on police officers in Los Angeles.
During a court appearance on Monday, Judge Alan Schneider informed the artist that adhering to the treatment plan and complying with all laws over a two-year period would result in the dismissal of the four felony charges against him.
The court determined that the incident stemmed from his diagnosed bipolar disorder, characterizing it as an unusual departure from his typical conduct.
This diversion program, known as postponement of prosecution probation, also stipulates that Lil Nas X must refrain from possessing firearms or making threats of violence.
According to authorities, the 26-year-old was spotted walking unclothed in a street within LA’s San Fernando Valley in August and allegedly charged at officers responding to reports about his behavior. A criminal complaint indicates that three officers sustained injuries during the encounter. Images and footage reportedly taken prior to the police involvement depicted him in the street wearing only white underwear and white boots.
He has pleaded not guilty to three felony charges of battery causing injury to a police officer, as well as one count of resisting an executive officer.
In a video shared on Instagram shortly after the incident, while he was out on bail, Lil Nas X described the previous four days as “terrifying,” but reassured his followers that he would be alright.
Speaking to Rolling Stone outside the courthouse on Monday, which was the first to report on the diversion agreement, he expressed his gratitude, stating he is “thankful – just very thankful,” and noted that the situation “could have been much worse.”
The district attorney’s office has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the case.
Lil Nas X gained widespread recognition for his hit song “Old Town Road,” which made history by topping the Billboard Hot 100 for an unprecedented 19 weeks and earned him two Grammy Awards.
Renowned for his innovative sound and style that defies genre boundaries, Lil Nas X’s debut studio album, “Montero,” released in 2021, reached No. 2 on the Billboard album chart and was nominated for a Grammy for Album of the Year. His other notable tracks include “Industry Baby” and “Montero (Call Me by Your Name).”
