James & Chico DeBarge Face Drug Allegations After Bizarre Traffic Stop
Originally published by AllHipHop Read the original
James DeBarge and Chico DeBarge landed in custody after an unusual towing operation attracted Burbank police early Friday.
James, 63, drove a Chevrolet Tahoe towing a Nissan SUV with a strap while Chico, whose legal name is Jonathan DeBarge, occupied the Nissan.
Neither SUV displayed license plates, and neither brother wore a seat belt when officers stopped them around 1:30 A.M., according to NBC Los Angeles.
Police reported finding narcotics at the scene before arresting both singers on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and towing both vehicles.
The roadside encounter extended a painful cycle that has followed members of the celebrated R&B family for nearly four decades.
James was convicted of controlled-substance possession in 2011 before receiving additional convictions for assault with a deadly weapon and drug possession in 2012.
Los Angeles police arrested him again on suspicion of hit-and-run and drug possession in 2013, followed by another suspected drug-possession arrest during 2014.
Chico’s record stretches back to 1988, when he and late brother Bobby DeBarge were convicted in a federal cocaine-trafficking case.
Chico later faced drug arrests in 2007 and 2019 before another Burbank traffic stop produced drug, impaired-driving and false-impersonation allegations during 2021.
Police accused Chico of identifying himself as James during that encounter before reportedly finding methamphetamine and heroin inside his vehicle.
Officers arrested Chico again in July 2025 after stopping his improperly equipped bicycle and allegedly discovering methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Chico was also booked on Friday on an outstanding warrant, but police have not released the warrant’s origin or announced either brother’s court date.