50 Cent pleads not guilty in domestic violence case

Rapper 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of domestic violence and vandalism stemming from a June 23 incident in Toluca Lake.

The 38-year-old performer, who reportedly remained quiet during the hearing in Van Nuys and let his lawyer speak for him, was ordered to stay away from and not try to contact model Daphne Narvarez, a.k.a. Daphne Joy, and was told to turn in all his guns.

The charges — one of domestic violence and four of vandalism — arose from an argument that escalated, prosecutors said. After Joy locked herself in a bedroom, the rapper allegedly kicked down the door and caused her an unspecified injury, Today reported, with police estimating thousands of dollars in damage to furniture, lighting fixtures and a TV.

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Joy had been in a three-year relationship with 50 Cent and they have a child together, prosecutors said. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to five years in jail and $46,000 in fines for allegedly injuring the woman and destroying $7,100 in property during the altercation, L.A. Now reported.

50 Cent “denies these allegations as made against him,” the rapper’s attorney said in a statement obtained by TMZ in early July. “It is important to note, Mr. Jackson has not been arrested and there is no warrant outstanding for his arrest.”

Indeed, 50 Cent had joke-tweeted about his whereabouts when the story broke in early July, writing things such as, “I’m not in jail I’m on my Gucci couch” and “I’m not in jail I’m by my pool,” and including corresponding pictures.

On Monday, he Instagrammed something less jovial: “I learned to use confusion for fuel. It sparks my creativity,” he wrote, including an image with this statement: “Step into my shoes and walk the life I’m living and if you get as far as I am, just maybe you will see how strong I really am.”

He is due back in court for a pretrial hearing Sept. 4.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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