Rapper and media personality Joe Budden charged for allegedly standing nak3d in hallway

Joe Budden, rapper and podcast host, faces a lewdness charge stemming from an incident earlier this month in Edgewater, New Jersey, where he was allegedly caught on a neighbor’s Ring Camera nak3d outside their apartment.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the charge was filed on December 4. The Edgewater Police Department confirmed the details in a statement released on December 30, explaining that officers were called to an apartment complex at approximately 7:21 AM.

The caller reported being alerted by their Ring Camera and observed Budden on video outside their home, completely nak3d. The footage allegedly showed him attempting to enter a code into the resident’s door keypad multiple times before returning to his apartment in the same building.

The police complaint states that the caller and their two juvenile daughters witnessed the incident live on their phone.

This isn’t the first time Budden has faced issues with neighbors. He recently discussed being asked to leave his apartment complex due to recording his podcast there, and he has previously mentioned on the podcast that he is a sleepwalker.

Budden’s attorney, Nima Ameri, criticized the Edgewater Police Department and its Chief, Donald Martin, for issuing a press release about the incident.

“Mr. Budden is saddened by Police Chief Martin’s press release,” Ameri told TMZ. “Mr. Budden has been waiting weeks for his cross complaints to be processed, which include substantially more serious charges, including possible felony charges against the persons behind these charges against him. The Chief has, in our opinion, sat on those but instead used his time to gain some free publicity for himself. Chief Martin should seek publicity by doing notable policing, not inflaming disorderly person allegations.”

Ameri further alleged racial bias in the handling of the case. “The allegations against Mr. Budden are a minor charge, not even resulting in an arrest. A charge Mr. Budden is looking forward to beating in court on the merits, not in the press. The Chief’s comments are reckless and, in our opinion, racially motivated. Our research has not shown a single press release on a disorderly person charge on the police website this year. His choice to single out Mr. Budden, in our opinion, is self-motivated and based off of Mr. Budden’s race and celebrity status.”

Budden is scheduled to appear in court next month to address the charge.