Authorities in Crisp County, Georgia, arrested hip-hop media figure Benzino on June 9 following a traffic stop. According to officials, it escalated beyond an initial speeding violation. WALB News 10 reported that officers with the Arabi Police Department pulled the vehicle over on Interstate 75. They did so after it was allegedly recorded traveling 91 miles per hour in a 70 mph zone. What began as a routine stop, according to the incident report, soon widened in scope.
The report states that officers also discovered Benzino was operating the vehicle with a driver’s license deemed invalid. He reportedly attributed the issue to child support-related complications. However, a subsequent check of records indicated the suspension was tied to multiple violations. That discrepancy, authorities noted, became part of the broader inquiry documented during the stop.
As officers continued their interaction, they reported detecting the smell of marijuana inside the vehicle. Benzino acknowledged the odor and cooperated with the search. He assisted officers in locating a bag in the driver’s side door. A second bag was later recovered near passenger Ruth Lewis. She told authorities the substance belonged to her, according to the report.
Both Benzino and Lewis were taken into custody and transported to Crisp County Jail, where they were booked on charges including speeding and drug possession. Benzino also faces an additional charge of driving without a valid license. The vehicle’s owner, Ashley Bell, was charged with allowing an unlicensed driver to operate her car.
Court records related to the case have not yet been fully released, and officials have provided limited additional detail. The matter remains active, and further updates are expected as it moves through the legal process.
