Police Apologize to Wyclef Jean after Wrongful Arrest6 min read

After blasting the LAPD, Wyclef Jean received an apology from the LA County deputies.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department issued a formal apology to Wyclef Jean today. The apology came hours after Los Angeles County deputies arrested the popular rapper in a case of mistaken identity.

The Haitian actor and musician was arrested after being approached by the police upon leaving the studio early Tuesday morning. Wyclef took to social media, posting a video to share this injustice.

In the video, he said; “L.A., right now, coming from the studio. Y’all see the police have handcuffs on me. They just took off my Haitian bandanna. That’s what’s going on right now with Wyclef in L.A. right now. The L.A.P.D. have me in cuffs for absolutely nothing.”

Wyclef mistakenly identified the officers as the LAPD. The LAPD quickly took to social media to set the record straight. They were, in fact, LA County Sheriff deputies from the West Hollywood division.

Before Jean’s wrongful arrest, an African-American man wearing a red bandana had robbed a local gas station. Authorities received a call reporting a robbery at 12:50 am. The unidentified suspect pulled a gun on two victims and took what they had then fled in a vehicle similar to one used by Jean.

After receiving this report LA County Sheriff Deputies had pulled Jean’s car over, asked him to exit the vehicle, and proceeded to arrest him.

Jean was held for 6 minutes following the arrest and a 26 year old man was later arrested.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department gave a statement Tuesday afternoon.

“It is unfortunate that Mr. Jean was detained for six minutes during this investigation, as he had no involvement whatsoever in this violent crime. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is apologetic for any inconvenience this process caused Mr. Jean.”

Wyclef Jean recalling the series of events that led to his arrest wrote on Instagram,

“I was asked by the police to put my hands up. Then I was told do not move. I was instantly handcuffed before being asked to identify myself and before being told why. In the process I said my name and told them they have wrong person. They proceeded to ignore me and I was treated like a criminal. I am sure no father wants his sons or daughters to see him in handcuffs especially if he is innocent. As someone who has law enforcers in my family, I was appalled by the behavior of the LAPD.”

“I am sure no father wants his sons or daughters to see him in Handcuffs especially if he is innocent.”