Detroit rapper Lil Mello was charged with being a marijuana user in possession of a firearm on Thursday (August 19) after being arrested two days earlier, according to The Detroit News.
Real name Romello Johnson, the 19-year-old is being held without bond pending a hearing in federal court on Monday (August 23). The gun in question is a pistol painted with an American flag that he’s accused of showing in a music video and on social media.
The arrest was part of a brief investigation involving YouTube videos, his Instagram account and incriminating photos.
Detroit Police Department investigators raided a home in the 19500 block of Fairport Street on Detroit’s east side on Tuesday (August 17). Court records show an officer spotted Lil Mello across the street in the backseat of a silver 2007 Mercury Mariner.
According to an affidavit, the officer saw “a magazine and grip of a firearm sticking out of a brown paper bag.” Police discovered the gun with the American flag design and arrested him due to being ineligible to obtain a concealed pistol license at his age.
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Investigators found photos of Lil Mello with the firearm on his phone, along with videos of the pistol in his waistband while holding a baby. The gun was also spotted in his music video for “Baxk to Pressin,” which was released in July and has over 85,000 views.
During an interview on Wednesday (August 18), he admitted to showing the firearm in music videos and smoking marijuana every day since he was 14. An ATF agent wrote, “Johnson stated he has free and ready access to the subject firearm anytime he wants to possess it. Johnson denied owning the firearm.”
Lil Mello has over 27,000 Instagram followers, with his biggest song “Feel Like Bart” totaling 450,000 since its May release.
In addition to the latest arrest, he’s also facing charges in Las Vegas for the armed robbery of a marijuana dealer, with the rapper accused of stealing a gun from the victim.
is painting the gun with the flag aggravating his charges? cuz rappers flash guns all the time
can we stop labeling everyone as a rapper. I made food last night, I’m now a chef. Drove to the gas station, now I am a ride share driver and a gas station attendant. Told someone that their headaches could be from dehydration, guess I’m a neurologist now.
Preach!
to me this guy is some local crook/gang member who posts rap songs on his social media
to be a rapper you either have to have a long history (2-3 yrs at least) of releases with some artistic merit or you have to be getting paid by rap in some way – you sold a song to Madden or something and you leveled up
just being some random local crook with a soundcloud it’s like you’re doing extreme karaoke
I love when rappers incriminate and rat on themselves! Keep it up, we need more of you off of the streets.
This article is written without the facts. The American flag painting has nothing to do with his arrest. Clearly this is a case of a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. They watching his videos and social media and caught him slipping. Or its also possible he doesnt have a felony, but they got him on the weed charge. The firearm might have been unregistered and a serial number check placed it as stolen. But it seems like this site wants you to believe this is some sort of a political freedom issue and the rapper is a victim.
Being a drug user in possession of a LEGALLY owned firearm is a federal offense.
Yes, that even means weed.