Lil Nas X Seeks Diversion Program in LAPD Battery Case

The singer appeared in court 7 months after his August 2026 arrest for allegedly punching an officer.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:26am

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Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Hill, appeared in court on Thursday to request a diversion program for his August 2026 arrest on charges of battery against a police officer. The 26-year-old hitmaker was arrested last summer after allegedly punching an officer in the face following a call about a "nude man walking in the street." Lil Nas X's lawyer asked the judge to delay the case so she could submit a motion to transfer it into an unspecified diversion program, which often results in defendants seeking treatment to avoid conviction.

Why it matters

Lil Nas X's high-profile arrest and legal case have raised questions about celebrity behavior, mental health, and interactions with law enforcement. The request for a diversion program could shed light on how the justice system handles such cases involving public figures.

The details

According to reports, Lil Nas X was arrested in August 2026 after officers approached him following a call about a "nude man walking in the street." Video footage showed the singer roaming around in white underwear and cowboy boots before later stripping and ditching his tighty whities. Lil Nas X allegedly punched an officer in the face twice that evening, leading to charges of battery with injury on a police officer and other felonies. He was taken into custody, charged, and spent a few days in jail before pleading not guilty and posting $75,000 bail.

  • Lil Nas X was arrested in August 2026.
  • He appeared in court on March 13, 2026, seven months after his arrest.
  • The judge requested Lil Nas X return to court on April 6, 2026.

The players

Lil Nas X

The 26-year-old singer, whose real name is Montero Hill, was arrested in August 2026 on charges of battery against a police officer.

Robert Stafford

Lil Nas X's father, who said his son expressed remorse while in jail and asked him to apologize to fans for them seeing him "like that."

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What they’re saying

“All I wanted to say is to my fans, I really love, and I miss you, and I appreciate your support so much, and I can't wait to be back hugging you guys.”

— Lil Nas X (California Post)

“When I went to visit [him in jail], he asked me to say, 'tell everybody I'm sorry they saw me like that.'”

— Robert Stafford, Lil Nas X's father (Rolling Stone)

What’s next

The judge requested Lil Nas X return to court on April 6, 2026, when the court will consider the motion to transfer the case to a diversion program.

The takeaway

Lil Nas X's high-profile arrest and legal case have raised questions about how the justice system handles such incidents involving celebrities, mental health, and interactions with law enforcement. The request for a diversion program could set a precedent for how similar cases are addressed in the future.