A 31-year-old janitor-turned-fitness-trainer has been charged with sending dozens of lewd texts to the mother of Grammy-winning singer Ashanti.Devar Hurd, of Griffith, Ind., is awaiting trial at Rikers Island prison in New York on stalking and other charges.
He allegedly bombarded the former chart-topper's mother, Tina Douglas, with crude text messages about her daughter, which included graphic photos and a picture of their family home.
According to the Associated Press, the messages gushed lewdly about Ashanti's performances and jealously lamented her relationship with the rapper Nelly, court papers stated.
Messages reprinted in a criminal complaint filed by New York prosecutors include sexual messages, musings on the music business, Hurd's own workout routine, and, on at least two occasions, pictures of male genitals.Most of the messages were apparently directed at Ashanti, but a few were addressed to her younger sister, Kenashia, too.
Douglas reportedly told Hurd to stop contacting her in February after he called repeatedly, according to the court papers. It's unclear how he might have gotten her cell phone number or gained access to the camp.
Hurd has pleaded not guilty and is being held on $50,000 bond.
The case could go to trial next week. It's unclear whether Ashanti, 29, will be called to testify.
Ashanti Pictures
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: Recording artist Ashanti attends the Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series at Terminal 5 on October 7, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: Recording artist Ashanti attends the Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series at Terminal 5 on October 7, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: Recording artists Ashanti, Common and Eve the Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series at Terminal 5 on October 7, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: Recording artists Ashanti, Common and Eve the Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series at Terminal 5 on October 7, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Model Tyrese and singer Ashanti attend the Hennessy Artistry 2009 "Halo" event at Terminal 5 on October 7, 2009 in New York City..Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series Takes NYC with Star-Studded Finale - Performances by Common, The Roots, Don Omar, Elevator Fight and Colin Munroe.Terminal 5.New York, NY United States.October 7, 2009.Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage.com..To license this image (58587015), contact WireImage.com
Singer and actress Ashanti attends the Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series at Terminal 5 on October 7, 2009 in New York City..Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series In New York City.Terminal 5.New York, NY United States.October 7, 2009.Photo by Mike Coppola/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (58586289), contact FilmMagic.com
(L-R) Singer-actress Ashanti, actor-rapper Common, and recording artist-actress Eve attend the Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series at Terminal 5 on October 7, 2009 in New York City..Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series In New York City.Terminal 5.New York, NY United States.October 7, 2009.Photo by Mike Coppola/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (58586407), contact FilmMagic.com
(L-R) Singer Ashanti, rapper Common and rapper Eve attend the Hennessy Artistry 2009 "Halo" event at Terminal 5 on October 7, 2009 in New York City..Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series Takes NYC with Star-Studded Finale - Performances by Common, The Roots, Don Omar, Elevator Fight and Colin Munroe.Terminal 5.New York, NY United States.October 7, 2009.Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage.com..To license this image (58585255), contact WireImage.com
(L-R) Singer Ashanti, rapper Common and rapper Eve attend the Hennessy Artistry 2009 "Halo" event at Terminal 5 on October 7, 2009 in New York City..Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series Takes NYC with Star-Studded Finale - Performances by Common, The Roots, Don Omar, Elevator Fight and Colin Munroe.Terminal 5.New York, NY United States.October 7, 2009.Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage.com..To license this image (58585223), contact WireImage.com
Singer Ashanti attends the Hennessy Artistry 2009 "Halo" event at Terminal 5 on October 7, 2009 in New York City..Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series Takes NYC with Star-Studded Finale - Performances by Common, The Roots, Don Omar, Elevator Fight and Colin Munroe.Terminal 5.New York, NY United States.October 7, 2009.Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage.com..To license this image (58585063), contact WireImage.com
Comments: (16)
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By: ADMR on 12/11/2009 5:23PM
OBSESSION Better Not Turn into STALKING...Thank You 4 Watching....
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By: ambitious1 on 12/12/2009 3:24PM
I don't see why folks become obsessed with celebs. I mean the only thing one can gain from that is jail time and a criminal record. Lots of men are obsessed with me but up North where I am from we call it "sweatin" the word stalking is quite horrific. What this guy was doing is considered stalking because he have no relations with her nor her family he don't even know them personally.
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By: Karin on 12/11/2009 9:34PM
What happened to Ashanti? That 1st picture is not flattering.
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By: captainmidnight on 12/12/2009 2:03PM
She is LARGE
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By: Shaiye on 12/12/2009 10:16PM
GAAH! You forgot to tell me where I can read these outrageous text messages!
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By: brenda on 12/14/2009 2:30PM
sounds like ashanti and mom knew this person, my question is how did this young man get the moms cell phone number to send messages, it seems like more to this story than is being told.
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By: tennisracket53 on 12/15/2009 10:27AM
Dang! She's fat!
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By: Tony on 12/15/2009 10:35AM
Dang! She's fat!
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By: valarie on 12/15/2009 1:36PM
what is stalking well the thing i can say is stalking him back ,because he has to be nut crazy nut
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By: Debbie~~Chi' on 12/15/2009 3:06PM
Pa'leaaase...these people had to have let this so-called stalker in their entourage and he got booted..so now he mad stalking...lol...
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