Singer is formally charged after September arrest.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Bruno Mars (real name Peter Hernandez) in Las Vegas Police custody
Photo: LVPD
Singer/songwriter Bruno Mars has been charged with felony drug possession after his arrest in Las Vegas last month, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The "Just the Way You Are" singer is alleged to have been in possession of 2.6 grams of cocaine after he played a show at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on September 19.
According to Las Vegas police, Mars was taken into custody after a bathroom attendant at the Hard Rock alerted a security guard that a man was spending a lot of time one of the stalls and may have been using drugs. The attendant also said he noticed Mars, born Peter Hernandez, had a "baggy of white powder substance." When Mars left the stall, the guard made him give up any drugs he may have had and the star produced "a white powder substance, which was consistent with cocaine, from his left-front jeans pocket." Mars reportedly copped to his bad behavior, telling the guard he "did a foolish thing and has never used drugs before."
Mars tested positive for cocaine at the time of his arrest and, according to The Associated Press, the star faces up to four years in jail and a $5000 fine if convicted. The singer, who has appeared on chart-rulers such as B.o.B's "Nothin' On You" and "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy, is due in court on November 18.
On Friday, Mars' label Elektra issued a short statement, reading, "We congratulate Bruno Mars on his chart-topping success, and provide him with our full love and support."
Mars' debut LP, Doo-Wops & Hooligans drops on Tuesday.
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