R&B singer Ray J was arrested in Los Angeles early Thanksgiving morning on suspicion of making criminal threats, according to police and jail records. Los Angeles Times
The 44-year-old artist, whose legal name is Willie Ray Norwood, was taken into custody around 4 a.m. by officers from the LAPD’s Devonshire Division, which patrols parts of the San Fernando Valley including Chatsworth and Northridge. He was later released on $50,000 bond, records show. Los Angeles Times
Arrest Details: What Police Have Said So Far
Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Mike Bland confirmed that Ray J was booked on suspicion of making criminal threats, a felony-level allegation under California law. Investigators have not publicly disclosed the nature of the alleged threat or the exact location of the incident within the division’s area. Los Angeles Times
No formal charges had been announced as of Thursday night, and representatives for the singer have not yet commented publicly on the arrest. Ray J, like anyone arrested on suspicion of a crime, is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted in court.
For official updates on arrests and criminal complaints in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department directs residents to its public information channels and online records.
A High-Profile Figure In R&B And Reality TV
Ray J rose to prominence in the late 1990s and 2000s with R&B hits such as “One Wish” and “Sexy Can I.” He is also known as the younger brother of Grammy-winning singer and actress Brandy Norwood and has appeared in multiple reality TV series, including Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood and Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business. Wikipedia
In recent years, he has expanded into entrepreneurship and tech, promoting his electronics brand and other ventures while maintaining a presence in music and television. More about his career and projects can be found on the official website of Ray J.
Ongoing Legal And Personal Turmoil
The Thanksgiving arrest comes amid a series of legal and personal battles surrounding the singer. In October 2025, Kim Kardashian and her mother Kris Jenner filed a defamation lawsuit against Ray J, alleging he falsely suggested they could face a federal racketeering investigation in comments made during a documentary and subsequent livestream. The complaint characterizes those claims as baseless and damaging to their reputations. E! Online+1
Separately, Ray J and his wife, reality star Princess Love, have been going through a long and highly publicized on-and-off divorce process. The couple, who married in 2016 and share two children, have filed for divorce multiple times, most recently in early 2024, while publicly emphasizing their commitment to co-parenting. People.com+1
Together, the ongoing civil disputes, the turbulent marriage and now the Thanksgiving arrest have placed Ray J at the center of overlapping legal and personal storylines closely watched by fans, entertainment media and legal observers alike.
What Happens Next
After his release on bond, Ray J’s case will move through the Los Angeles County criminal-justice system. Prosecutors will review evidence gathered by the LAPD to decide whether to file charges related to the alleged threats and, if so, what specific counts to pursue.
Key next steps typically include:
- Formal charging decision by the district attorney’s office
- A possible arraignment, where charges are read and a plea is entered
- Future hearings to address evidence, witness statements and any potential plea negotiations
Until more information is released in official court documents or statements, the details of what led to the arrest remain limited to what police have briefly confirmed.
