Judge Lets Lil Nas X Remain in Out-Of-State Treatment as Felony Case Advances

HOTSPOTATL, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

At a brief hearing in Van Nuys on Monday, a Los Angeles County judge allowed Lil Nas X to remain in an inpatient treatment program out of state while his felony case proceeds. The Grammy winner, born Montero Hill, did not appear; his attorneys told the court he has entered treatment and is complying with release conditions.

“We’re doing what is best for Montero from a personal standpoint and a professional standpoint — but most importantly, for his well-being,” defense attorney Drew Findling said outside the courthouse, reiterating that Hill is surrounded by “an amazing family” and support team.

Judge Shellie Samuels modified Hill’s release terms to permit him to stay in treatment out of state, with the understanding that the arrangement will be revisited if his status changes to outpatient. The court kept his next appearance on the calendar for Nov. 18, 2025.

Lil Nas X seeking inpatient “treatment" of an undisclosed nature after his arrest and felony charges last month

“We’re doing what is best for [him] from a personal standpoint and a professional standpoint, but most importantly, for his well-being," lawyer Drew Findling says pic.twitter.com/zufDW0Vwgx

— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) September 15, 2025

Hill is charged with three felony counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one felony count of resisting an executive officer stemming from an Aug. 21 encounter in Studio City. Police said they were called to Ventura Boulevard around dawn after reports that a man was walking in the street wearing only underwear and boots. In a complaint cited by multiple outlets, prosecutors allege Hill used “force and violence” that injured three officers and attempted, “by means of threats and violence,” to deter a fourth officer from doing his duty.

US rapper, Lil Nas X arrested into custody, following a suspected drug overdose incident, where he was seen almost naked on the streets of Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/1wIJ4JgYaW

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) August 22, 2025

Hill pleaded not guilty on Aug. 25. That day, a judge set $75,000 bail — down from an initial amount of $300,000 after the court noted he had no prior convictions and was not considered a flight risk — and ordered him to attend four Narcotics Anonymous meetings per week while on release, according to reports. Police initially said Hill was transported to a hospital after his arrest for a possible overdose; Hill’s father, Robert Stafford, told reporters his son did not take illegal drugs and asked for “grace and mercy” as the family sought help. Defense lawyer Christy O’Connor told the court, per the Associated Press, that the episode, even “assuming the allegations here are true,” would be “an absolute aberration” in Hill’s life.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has said the charges carry a potential sentence of up to five years in state prison if there is a conviction. As in all criminal cases, the charges are allegations; Hill is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

After he was released from custody on Aug. 25, Hill posted a brief message of reassurance on Instagram Stories, describing the previous four days as “terrifying” but adding, “your girl is gonna be all right.”

Billboard News: Lil Nas X rounded up all of his new friends for one star-studded run through of "Old Town Road" at the 2020 #Grammys. #BillboardNews pic.twitter.com/4Jet9YIb8W

— billboard (@billboard) January 27, 2020

The treatment update arrives at a complex moment for one of pop’s most visible young stars. Hill broke through globally with “Old Town Road,” winning two Grammys in 2020 with Billy Ray Cyrus and later earning a CMA award for the collaboration — milestones that made him a rare Gen-Z, openly gay Black artist operating at the center of mainstream pop. Monday’s ruling keeps the criminal case moving while prioritizing care, a balance Judge Samuels underscored from the bench.