Snoop Dogg booked for carrying illegal weapon

Security officers at John Wayne Airport found a collapsible baton in Rap superstar Snoop Dogg’s carry-on luggage and booked him for his lawbreaking act of possession of a deadly weapon.

As the 35-year-old rapper boarded a flight in California on 27 September he was caught with a collapsible baton in his luggage. At the time of arrest he told officials that the baton was for a video he was making, the Los Angeles Times reported.

After the illegal weapon was discovered by the airport security, the Sherman Oaks, Calif., resident born Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus turned himself over to authorities at the Orange County Jail on Monday morning. The weapon charge was filed Thursday and an arrest warrant was issued.

If convicted, he could have to face imprisonment for a maximum of three years. The court hearing is due on December 12.

The rap-star was released on bail of $150,000 (£78,800) after being charged. Snoop Dogg's spokesperson, Meredith O'Sullivan, said in a statement that "Snoop was promptly released on bail and welcomes an expedited trial which will reveal that these charges are completely unwarranted."

However, this is not the first time that Snoop has been charged with the carrying of weapons illegally. Last month, the rap star was charged with separate counts of possessing guns and drugs after being searched and arrested at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank.

According to Snoop Dogg's attorney Bob Etra, the celebrity status of his client attracts extra focus which is to be blamed for both arrests. He vowed to "fight both of these cases, very, very hard."