CRIMINAL CASE: Commonwealth v. Ruffino, No. _____ (Mass. Dist. Ct., New Bedford filed Nov. 22, 2009).

Status: Pending.

Massachusetts police arrested Matthew Ruffino and Jason Foley after they allegedly posted a rap video on YouTube and MySpace that curses Ruffino's former probation officer and a state police trooper who ticketed Ruffino for driving with a suspended license. Both are cited by name in the video, followed by sounds of gunshots.

Ruffino and Foley are charged with threats to commit a crime, threats to use a firearm and witness intimidation. Both pleaded not guilty.  On Nov. 30, they were denied bail.

Links and Court Documents:
Bail denied for local pair charged with threatening law enforcement officials in rap video (South Coast Today, Dec. 1, 2009)
Rap Video Threat Suspects Plead Not Guilty, More Arrests Possible (Associated Press, Nov. 23, 2009)
Singers arrested for YouTube video threatening cops (Boston Herald, Nov. 24, 2009)
508 Productions test First Amendment limits (South Coast Today, Nov. 24, 2009)