Courts and Crime
Musician was released after posting $15,000 bond
Randy Ortiz Acevedo, one-half of the popular reggaeton duo Jowell and Randy, was arrested in Puerto Rico on domestic violence charges, the Associated Press reports.
A judge ruled Monday, Jan. 9, that there was enough evidence against Acevedo to take him into custody. According to a statement from the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, Acevedo is accused of attacking the mother of his children on Jan. 7. Acevedo allegedly threatened to stop paying alimony to his ex-partner for their children, and allegedly grabbed her by the arms and neck and jerked her around.
Acevedo was briefly detained, but was released from jail Tuesday after posting a $15,000 bond. Acevedo hasn’t entered a plea yet, nor is he required to at this moment. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Jan. 19. A rep for the singer did not immediately return Rolling Stone’s request for comment.
Upon his release, Acevedo briefly spoke with reporters, saying in Spanish, “I’m a bit sad.” When asked what had happened, Acevedo replied, “Nothing, nothing,” and called the charges against him “una estupidez,” meaning foolish or dumb.
Jowell and Randy have consistently been one of the biggest reggaeton outfits over the past 20 years. The duo’s last album together was 2020’s Viva el Perreo, though they’ve continued to release singles over the past couple of years. Both Jowell (real name Joel Muñoz) and Acevedo have also embarked on solo projects, with the latter releasing his most recent album, Romances De Una Nota 2021, Vol 2., in 2021.
This story was updated 1/10/22 at 2:01 p.m. ET with more information about the allegations against Acevedo, as well as his comments to the press after his release on bail.