Joe Budden was charged earlier this month … after authorities said his neighbor saw him on Ring camera footage outside their apartment – completely naked.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ… Budden was charged with indecency on December 4 in Edgewater, New Jersey.
The Edgewater Police Department released a statement about the incident on Dec. 30 after news of the charges broke online … explaining that at approximately 7:21 a.m., officers were called to an apartment complex in the area.
According to EPD, the caller was alerted by the Ring camera that someone was outside their home … and when they viewed the footage, they claimed Budden was standing outside – naked as the day he was born.
The caller's video shows Budden attempting to enter a code into the resident's door keypad several times before returning to his apartment in the same building. The court complaint states that the resident and two underage daughters observed the crime live on the telephone.
By the way… Budden recently spoke publicly about arguments with his neighbors – and claimed he was kicked out of his apartment because he continued to record episodes of his podcast there. He has also previously said in his podcast that he is a sleepwalker.
Joe's lawyer, Nima AmeriEsq, of Ameri Law Firm, shot back at the Edgewater Police Department, telling TMZ… “Mr. Budden is saddened by Police Chief Martin's press release. Mr Budden has been waiting weeks for his counter-complaints to be processed, which include significant charges. The more serious charges include possible criminal charges against the people behind these charges. “It is our opinion that Chief Martin has used his time to gain public attention through notable actions. Police work does not fuel allegations of disorderly persons.”
Ameri added… “The allegations against Mr. Budden are minor allegations that do not even result in an arrest. An accusation that Mr. Budden will be happy to enforce in court on the merits and not in the press. The Chief's comments are reckless, and in our opinion, racially motivated. Our research shows that there has not been a single press release regarding a riot charge on the police website this year. Budden's race and celebrity status.
Budden has a court date scheduled for next month.