“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett has gone from fake victim to confirmed suspect in a time span of three weeks. And hours after he was indicted on a felony charge, he was arrested.

The NY Times reports:

Jussie Smollett, the “Empire” actor who said he was the victim of a hate crime, was arrested on Thursday morning on charges of staging the assault he reported to Chicago police in January.

Anthony Guglielmi, the chief spokesman for the Chicago Police Department, said early Thursday that Mr. Smollett was “in custody of detectives,” just hours after a grand jury heard evidence on Wednesday that Mr. Smollett falsely reported being attacked and local prosecutors charged him with a felony count of disorderly conduct. A representative for Mr. Smollett did not respond to a request for comment.

[…]

Filing a false police report in Illinois is technically referred to as disorderly conduct and can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. In Mr. Smollett’s case, he was charged with a felony count, which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

Press Briefing: Jussie Smollet is under arrest and in custody of detectives. At 9am at #ChicagoPolice Headquarters, Supt Eddie Johnson, Commander of Area Central Detectives Edward Wodnicki will brief reporters on the investigation prior to the defendants appearance in court. pic.twitter.com/9PSv8Ojec2

— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 21, 2019

There was no early morning CNN stakeout of Smollett’s residence, no dramatic video of events as they unfolded, and no perp walk. Smollett turned himself in to police early this morning:

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett turned himself in early Thursday to face accusations that he filed a false police report when he told authorities he was attacked in Chicago by two men who hurled racist and anti-gay slurs and looped a rope around his neck, police said.

Smollett turned himself around 5 a.m. Thursday at the 1st District police station. Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson was scheduled to hold a Thursday morning news conference to announce Smollett’s arrest. Smollett is scheduled to appear in bond court at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

#JussieSmollett is now in custody. #CPD says they Negotiated w/ his attorneys last night 4 his surrender. Met them w/ him at 5am at 1st district. #Smollett Came in quietly. Met detectives at the door without incident. Brought in for processing. Transferred 2 CC Courthouse

— raferweigel (@RaferWeigel) February 21, 2019

The news conference is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. eastern time.

Camera crews waiting for entry to the Jussie Smolett press conference at Chicago police HQ. pic.twitter.com/WctApU0SH8

— Marcus J. DiPaola (@marcusdipaola) February 21, 2019

Stay tuned.

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—Sister Toldjah is a former liberal and a 15+ year veteran of blogging with an emphasis on media bias, social issues, and the culture wars. Read her Red State archives here. Connect with her on Twitter.–