Rapper Snoop Dogg held on second gun charge in a month

Rapper Snoop Dogg was arrested for investigation of illegally possessing a handgun and drugs as he left NBC Studios after performing on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," police said.

The 35-year-old rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, and two members of his entourage were arrested around 6 p.m. Tuesday after a search of his Diamond Bar home and car, Sgt. Kevin Grandalski said.

Police seized a handgun and some illegal drugs, Grandalski said. He did not have details.

The sergeant said the rapper was arrested for investigation of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possessing cocaine, transporting marijuana and having a false compartment in his vehicle, Grandalski said.

"He was in a car pulling out of the studio" when police stopped him, said Donald Etra, the rapper's attorney.

Etra said he believed Broadus was booked at the jail for investigation of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

He made bail of $60,000 (£45,640) and was released shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday, about seven hours after his arrest.

"As of this point, he stands innocent of all charges," Etra said. "The goal tonight was to get him out of jail. The goal tomorrow is to deal with the case."

The rapper was expected to be arraigned on Jan. 11, Etra said.

Two acknowledged gang members who are associates of Broadus also were taken into custody, Grandalski said.

Michael Mingo, 33, of Lakewood, was arrested for investigation of possessing burglary tools, and Lovell Polk, 36, of Moreno Valley, was arrested for an outstanding warrant, Grandalski said.

He did not know the nature of the warrant.

The arrests stemmed from an investigation that followed the rapper's Oct. 26 arrest at Bob Hope Airport here after airport police said they found a gun and marijuana in his car, Grandalski said.

"Additional follow-up investigation led detectives to obtaining the search warrant," the sergeant said. He did not have details.

No charges have been filed in that case but Broadus has a Dec. 12 court appearance for an arraignment.

Etra said the rapper also has a Dec. 4 arraignment in Orange County following his Sept. 27 arrest for investigation of carrying a deadly weapon at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana.

Security officers said they found a collapsible baton in the entertainer's carry-on luggage. The rapper told deputies at the time of his arrest that the baton was a prop for a movie.

The rapper was convicted in 1990 of cocaine possession and was charged with gun possession after a 1993 traffic stop.

Facing a possible three years in prison, he pleaded guilty in exchange for three years' probation and his promise to make anti-violence public service announcements.

He was acquitted of murder in 1996 following the death of an alleged street gang member killed by gunfire from the vehicle in which he was travelling.