Snoop Dogg to appear in court for weapon charges

Rapper-actor Snoop Dogg is scheduled to appear in court Thursday to face charges of carrying an illegal weapon at John Wayne Airport in 2006, Orange County prosecutors said.

The star, whose legal name is Calvin Broadus, was not present for his arraignment in January but had his lawyer appear to plead not guilty to the felony charges.

Broadus, 35, was arrested at John Wayne Airport by Orange County Sheriff’s deputies Sept. 27 after airport security screeners found a collapsible baton in his laptop case.

Prosecutors are calling the 20-inch baton an illegal weapon, but Broadus and his lawyer claim it was only intended to be used as a prop for the filming of a video in New York.

Broadus was arrested again at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank on Oct. 26 on suspicion of possessing a gun and transportation of marijuana.

He was then arrested Nov. 28 in Burbank outside NBC studios after an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” on suspicion of possession of cocaine and firearms, authorities said.

— Kelly Strodl