Rapper 2 Chainz charged with misdemeanor

Nationally known rapper 2 Chainz has been charged with a misdemeanor, accused of refusing police commands to exit a tour bus during a traffic stop in August in Oklahoma City.

The Atlanta-based rapper — whose real name is Tauheed Epps — is charged with obstructing an officer in the performance of his official duties.

If convicted, Epps, 36, faces up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The bus driver, Sedric Arozell Brooks, and a passenger, Abdullah Qawi Mujahid, were charged with the same misdemeanor. A bodyguard, Rory Dorell Smith, was charged with a felony, possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

The rapper performed Aug. 21 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena with Lil Wayne.

An Oklahoma City police officer stopped the bus early Aug. 22 on Interstate 40 after noticing it had a defective taillight. The officer reported smelling “an overwhelming odor of marijuana” when the driver got out of the bus. The officer also reported seeing “smoke on the bus around the door.”

>>Read: 11 arrested after 2 Chainz tour bus pulled over in Oklahoma City (Published Aug. 22, 2013)

>>Read: Police found weapons, painkillers on rapper's tour bus (Published Sept. 3, 2013)

>>Read: 2 Chainz apologizes to Oklahoma City (Published Sept. 11, 2013)

Police reported Brooks, 32, of Douglas, Ga., refused to let officers on the bus, and those inside the bus refused multiple orders to exit, according to court affidavits.

Mujahid, 52, of Lawrenceville, Ga., shook his head when ordered to open the bus door and held a small copy of the U.S. Constitution to the window “as if challenging officers,” police reported.

Police arrested the bus driver, Epps and nine others after the bus was towed to the police training center. Police reported the bus occupants got off the bus nine hours after the initial stop when they learned officers had obtained a search warrant.

Only four of the 11 arrested Aug. 22 now face charges.

All four are represented by Oklahoma City attorney Mack Martin.

“We're hoping to have the matter resolved in the very near future,” Martin said.

The bodyguard, Smith, was charged with a drug offense over painkillers police reported finding on the bus. Prosecutors allege Smith, 44 and from Atlanta, did not have a prescription for the drug.

No one was charged with marijuana possession even though police reported finding marijuana residue during a search.

“In the end, we didn't find much of it,” Assistant District Attorney Matt Dillon said of the marijuana evidence. “What we did find wasn't in any location where we could show knowledge on anyone's part.”