The Game, a rapper whose real name is Jayceon Terrell Taylor, will not face charges over a Tweet sent from his Twitter account which jammed a Compton Sheriff station's emergency line.
Los Angeles County sheriff's officials opened a criminal investigation to find the guilty party, after the rapper claimed his account had been hacked. The Los Angeles County sheriff's department confirmed to KABC Television, OnTheRedCarpet.com's parent company that the rapper will not face charges over the incident.
"His willingness to help share with the media and the community that the safety of the public is what is most important, is a great message," Captain Mike Parker said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. "Freedom of speech is part of what has made this country great. Police officers are sworn to uphold and protect that right, and we welcome that responsibility... The challenge is that law enforcement, the news media, and celebrities are also facing the challenge of how to address each new social media issue that arises."
The Game's Tweet asked for internship applicants and contained a phone number for the station, which resulted in the emergency line being congested for at least two hours on Friday night.
"Yall can track a tweet down but can't solve murders ! Dat was an accident but maybe now yall can actually do yall job !!!! #iSpeak4ThePeople," The Game wrote on Twitter on Friday night.
Sheriff's Captain Mike Parker told the Los Angeles Times that the calls delayed response to a missing person, a spousal abuse incident, two robberies and a stolen vehicle. Parker Tweeted at the rapper to remove the post.
"This was beyond irresponsible," Parker told the Los Angeles Times. "The deputies' ability to answer the phones and dispatch personnel to help these people in danger was significantly impeded."
Potential charges for the incident include annoying or harassing phone calls via electronic device or the Internet and delaying or obstructing a police officer in the performance of their duties.
The Game rose to success with his 2005 debut album, "The Documentary," which earned him two Grammy Award nominations. His follow-up albums, 2006's "Doctor's Advocate" and 2008's "LAX" were equally successful.
The rapper has also appeared in several movies including, "Street Kings" opposite Chris Pine and Keanu Reeves. He will next appear alongside "Clueless" actress Stacey Dash in "House Arrest," which is slated for release later this year.
In 2008, The Game was sentenced to 60 days in jail after pleading no contest to felony weapon charges in a school zone. The charges stemmed from a 2007 incident during a basketball game, where the rapper allegedly threatened someone with a gun.
He is currently promoting his fourth studio album, "The R.E.D. Album," which is slated for release on August 23, 2011 after nearly two years of delays.
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