Grammy award-winning R&B singer D’Angelo was fined and received suspended jail sentences Friday on charges stemming from a 2005 single-vehicle accident.
The Richmond native, born Michael E. Archer, pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended license and driving under the influence in Powhatan General District Court.
Judge Paul Cella fined him $1,000, with $500 suspended, sentenced him to nine days in jail, all suspended, and revoked his license for 90 days on the suspended license charge.
Cella also fined him $1,500, with $750 suspended, sentenced him to six months in jail, also suspended, and suspended his license for 12 months on the DUI charge.
A reckless driving charge was dropped.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Richard Cox said the county’s case was weakened when the star witness in the case, who was riding with Archer, did not show up in court Friday.
The performer was driving a Hummer in Powhatan County when he was thrown from the vehicle. He suffered bruised ribs and contusions, according to state police.
Following a string of hits in the ’90s, Archer began a series of run-ins with the law.
In April 2005, he was fined $250 and given a 90-day suspended jail term on a DUI conviction. Archer’s driver’s license was suspended for one year.
Just a week before the accident, Archer had been given a three-year suspended sentence in Chesterfield Circuit Court on a cocaine charge stemming from a traffic stop.