The Cook County grand jury that investigated Jussie Smollett has returned with a 16-count true bill of felony charges that are connected to the falsified hate crime that caused a media whirlwind since January.
Last month, Smollett was initially charged with one count of felony disorderly conduct but local source CWBChicago has reported the grand jury has now delivered a total of 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct-false report.
The report reveals the Empire star lied to two separate officers. The first set of charges reveals the time of the police report, which was 2 a.m. on January 29 and included details of the assault, which revealed the reported racial slurs, noose, and chemical pour. The second charges are for telling a false report to a detective the same day, while adding he was approached from behind and fought back, including details of skin color and being kicked in the back.
No charges in connection to the letter that was reportedly sent to himself.
Each charge carries a sentence that could range from probation to four years, however, the publication states he is unlikely to be convicted on all of the crimes, with the likelihood of reaching a plea bargain, resulting in one or two charges being plead guilty.
Smollett’s next court date is scheduled for next week. You can read the full report from CWBChicago here.
