El DeBarge’s Latest Brush with the Law

Grammy-winning singer El DeBarge was arrested in Encino last Monday on suspicion of drug possession with intent to sell, according to the LA Times.

DeBarge just got out of jail a few years ago and made the rounds with a new album, thanking his fans profusely for giving him another chance. But apparently, he was still using. Last year, he had to cancel appearances and go to rehab for some help. Evidently, it didn’t work.

While undercover narcotics officers were conducting an investigation near the 101 Freeway in Encino on Monday, when they noticed ElDebarge and another man acting strangely. The officers recovered drugs in the area where they saw DeBarge, not on him, and booked him for suspicion of possession of drugs for sale.

DeBarge was reportedly booked and released on $30,000 bail and given a court date. Then prosecutors declined to go forward with the case due to insufficient evidence. Apparently all they had was the word of the other man, who claimed the singer was trying to sell him drugs. DeBarge later told TMZ that the accusation was absolutely false.

Still the incident, combined with DeBarge’s problems when performing, sort of leads folks to think he really is still using drugs. Earlier this month, the audience at The Key Club saw DeBarge perform, acting very erratically, but he told the audience he had the flu.