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Joe Budden, a rapper turned podcaster, has been charged with disorderly lewdness following an incident at his apartment complex in Edgewater, New Jersey. According to the Edgewater Police Department, the situation occurred on December 4, when a neighbor reported spotting Budden naked outside their apartment on a Ring doorbell camera.
The footage reportedly shows Budden attempting to enter a code on the neighbor's door keypad multiple times before retreating to his own apartment across the hall. The neighbor and their two juvenile daughters viewed the incident live on their phones. Police responded to the scene shortly after receiving the call.
In a statement, Edgewater Police Chief Donald Martin emphasized the presumption of innocence, stating, "These charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
Budden's legal team has criticized the handling of the case. His attorney, Nima Ameri, expressed disappointment over the release of the police statement, calling it a "publicity stunt." Ameri argued, "The allegations against Mr. Budden are a minor charge, not even resulting in an arrest. The Chief's comments are reckless, and in our opinion, racially motivated."
Budden addressed the situation with humor on his podcast, admitting, "I just sleepwalked somewhere I shouldn't have. And you know how I sleep—good naked sleepwalking." Despite the lighthearted commentary, he faces a court appearance on January 16, 2025, to address the charges.
This incident coincides with ongoing tension between Budden and his neighbors. The podcaster revealed that his show, The Joe Budden Podcast, was forced to relocate due to complaints about recording in the apartment complex. Budden dismissed any connection between his personal situation and the podcast's move, stating, "What I'm going through personally is totally separate."
The case has sparked a flurry of reactions online. While some fans defended Budden, citing his history of sleepwalking, others joked about the incident. One social media user quipped, "50 [Cent] gon' have a field day."
Budden remains optimistic about clearing his name, with his lawyer asserting that he looks forward to contesting the allegations in court.
