El DeBarge Headed for De Brig
L.A. County Police Department
El DeBarge will be feeling the rhythm of the night all right—in a jail cell.
A Los Angeles judge has sentenced the '80s hitmaker to two years in state prison for a drug bust earlier this month.
DeBarge (born Eldra Patrick DeBarge), whose hit "Who's Johnny" video featured him in a courtroom, appeared in the real deal Tuesday to learn his fate for getting caught with crack cocaine.
Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, told E! News that because DeBarge was still on probation for a 2001 cocaine bust, not to mention a series of warrants over the past year for domestic violence, vandalism and drugs, the judge threw the book at the fallen pop star.
He was ordered immediately transferred to California State Prison at Lancaster, which will be his home through 2010.
And things could get worse.
Robison said the entertainer also has a separate case winding its way through court for violating his probation in connection with a 2006 drug bust for possession of a controlled substance. A hearing in that matter is set for Nov. 10.
A rep for the singer was not available for comment.
The 47-year-old crooner formed DeBarge in 1978 with four of his brothers and became one of the last big Motown acts on the strength of such R&B hits as "Love Me in a Special Way," "Time Will Reveal" and "Rhythm of the Night." El left DeBarge in 1986 and launched a solo career, which subsequently floundered in the early '90s.
THE BIG PICTURE
Here Comes the Bride Clearly feeling good post-honeymoon (as her T-shirt attests) Kendra takes a summer stroll
More PhotosMost Commented
- Post Your Michael Jackson Tribute and Say Goodbye (3701)
- Bitch-Back! Stop Torturing Kristen! (988)
- Truth, Lies & Ted: How Naked Will Robsten Get? (965)
- Fab Robsten Reunions in the Works (698)
- Is Kristen Stewart Really Pregnant? (666)
- Do-Me Meter: Twilight Kids vs. the Harry Potter Gang (549)
- Bitch-Back! Hungry for Vampires and Vices (488)
- Bitch-Back! Who the Hell Is Nevis Divine? (480)
- Celebrity Addictionary: There Oughta Be a Word (472)
- Stars, Family, Fans Unite to Celebrate Michael Jackson (393)
Top 10 Stories
- Source: Jackson's Needle Marks on Neck and Arms; Tabloid Claims La Toya Says, "This Was Murder"
- Does This Debut Make Brüno Look Fat?
- Week in Review: Honoring Michael Jackson, Wherever He May Be
- "It's Going to Be a Disaster": Associate Says Jackson Was Too Weak for Major Comeback
- Here Come the Crazies? Jackson Dermatologist Reports "Suspicious" Phone Calls
- Bigger Is Better for Paris Hilton
- Jackson Custody Hearing Postponed Again as Mom and Grandma Try to Work It Out
- Get Some Help, Artie Lange!
- Smooth Criminals Beware: Jackson Junk for Sale
- Jessica Simpson Wants a Barbie-Doll Birthday
Fashion Police
We Sense a Pattern HereCutie Leighton has been trying a little too hard to be fashion forward and ends up a hot mess
More Photos
More Pics from mystyle.com
Latest Movie Reviews
Get Your E! News Now
23 Comments
-
Show the next 1 - 0 of 23 comments
Now loading...