Coolio facing felony charge

Coolio was charged yesterday (3/10) with possession of crack cocaine and battery following his arrest last week at Los Angeles International Airport, according to a Reuters report.

The Grammy-winning performer, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey, faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison if convicted.

Coolio, 45, was taken into custody at the airport Friday (3/6) after authorities said they found crack and a pipe in his luggage. He was charged with a single felony count for possession of cocaine base and a misdemeanor charge for the crack pipe.

He also is facing a battery charge because he allegedly grabbed an airport screener's arm to prevent the search of his luggage.

Coolio, who won a Grammy in 1995 for the hit single "Gangsta's Paradise," is scheduled to appear in court on April 3.