World-renowned artiste Chris Brown could be facing a six-month jail stint for keeping a capuchin monkey as a pet.
Chris Brown’s LA house was raided by California Fish and Wildlife (CFW) agents on Friday who confiscated his pet monkey named Fiji.
Capt. Patrick Foy who is leading the operation said “They discovered that the singer did not have a permit for the animal he named Fiji.”
Chris Brown has also received negative criticism last month when he posted an Instagram video of Royalty his 3-year-old daughter and Fiji apparently enjoying each others company. Fans bashed the video one saying the monkey belonged in the wild and that Fiji could be a danger to his daughter. Brown responded telling the critics to “chill out.”
As a result of the video, CFW agents received six different phone calls concerning the animal according to Foy.
Although Chris Brown wasn’t at home on Jan 2 when the place was raided, Foy has stated Chris Brown cooperated fully telling some of his staff to hand the monkey to the agents. The monkey has since been transported to an anonymous shelter. The case has been forwarded to the LA city attorney. Mark Geragos, Chris Brown later remarked: “Now spending taxpayer money on investigating monkey business, this completes the circle on his absurdity.”
Foy said the video prompted six calls to the wildlife department from people concerned about the animal. He said Brown agreed to cooperate. Agents executed a search warrant at Brown’s home Jan. 2, Foy said, adding that Brown wasn’t there but had his employees hand over the monkey in a cage. Fiji was sent to an undisclosed facility, while the case has been turned over to the L.A. city attorney. Brown’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, told TMZ.
Charges will still be pressed against Brown according to TMZ and if convicted he could face six months maximum behind bars.