D'Angelo Busted Trying to Pick Up Hooker

Fading R&B star offers $40 to prostitute who turns out to be undercover cop

By Josh Grossberg Mar 08, 2010 11:25 PMTags
D'AngeloSteve Granitz/Getty Images

D'Angelo apparently went cruisin' and now his reputation's taking a bruisin'.

The R&B smoothie, considered the consummate ladies' man back in the day, was collared Saturday night in New York City after allegedly trying to solicit a prostitute who turned out to be an undercover cop. Oops.

The 36-year-old D'Angelo (aka Michael Eugene Archer) was driving around Greenwich Village in his Range Rover when he spotted the woman, pulled over and offered her $40 for sex, according to the NYPD.

Instead, he wound up booked on a count of patronizing a prostitute in the third degree, according to the Manhattan district attorney. He was released on his own recognizance.

D'Angelo is maintaining his innocence and has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

"We know there is a lot of speculation in regard to the arrest of D'Angelo in New York City this past weekend," his manager,  Lindsay Guion, said in a statement, adding that the singer "is contesting the allegations made against him...D'Angelo would like to personally thank all of his fans for the outpouring of concern, and appreciates if all would allow the American justice system to resolve the matter before jumping to any conclusions."

This isn't the first time the "Cruisin'" singer has run afoul of the law. In 2005, he received a suspended sentence following a bust for drug possession and driving under the influence.

A preliminary hearing is set for May 4.

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D'Angelo just missed Lil Wayne, but we've got the hip-hopster right here in our Court Appearances gallery.