The Weeknd Pleads No Contest To Punching A Police Officer
The Weeknd has pleaded "no contest" to a court case claiming that he punched a Las Vegas police officer in January of this year. The plea was entered Wednesday, October 21, according to reports from TMZ, and affords Abel Tesfaye the opportunity to avoid jail so long as he fulfills anger management training, alcohol testing and 50 hours of community service. He will also be forced to pay $1,000 to an injured police fund as recompense for violently lashing out a cop.
The Weeknd was first arrested on one count of misdemeanor battery of a protected person after the altercation, which took place at the Cromwell Hotel in Vegas. Billboard notes that "when law enforcement arrived and attempted to break it up, separating those involved, Tesfaye struck the officer in the side of the head with a closed fist." Here's hoping that Tesfaye has learned his lesson and will only pummel microphones onstage as he sets out on his extensive North American tour—a tour which, we must point out, does not include a stop within the great state of Nevada.
The Weeknd Fall/Winter 2015 Tour Dates:
Tue, Nov. 03, 2015 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Fri, Nov. 06, 2015 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Sat, Nov. 07, 2015 – Detroit, MI – Palace of Auburn Hills
Wed, Nov. 11, 2015 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
Thu, Nov. 12, 2015 – Boston, MA – DCU Center
Sat, Nov. 14, 2015 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun
Sun, Nov. 15, 2015 – Washington, DC – Verizon Center
Mon, Nov. 16, 2015 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Wed, Nov. 18, 2015 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Tue, Nov. 24, 2015 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Fri, Nov. 27, 2015 – Winnipeg, MB – MTS Centre
Sun, Nov. 29, 2015 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
Mon, Nov. 30, 2015 – Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
Wed, Dec. 02, 2015 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Sat, Dec. 05, 2015 – Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena
Tue, Dec. 08, 2015 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
Sun, Dec. 13, 2015 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Tue, Dec. 15, 2015 – Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena
Thu, Dec. 17, 2015 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
Sat, Dec. 19, 2015 – Miami, FL – American Airlines Arena