Touring just got a lot harder for infamous R&B singer Chris Brown. The performer got a stern talking to and another court date from a Califronia judge Monday after failing a Virginia drug test related to his probation for assaulting former girlfriend pop star Rihanna.
The drug test, which was taken June 18, wasn't ordered by his California judge. However, random testing is the norm back in Brown's home state of Virginia, where he's been serving the community service requirement of his 2009 felony.
Brown was charged with felony assault in 2009 after he physically abused his then-girlfriend Rihanna. According to police reports, Brown repeatedly punched Rihanna until her mouth filled with blood, and then choked her until she began to lose consciousness the night before the 2009 Grammy Awards. A police affidavit said Brown punched, choked, and bit the pop star before trying to push her out of a car.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years' probation, as well as community service and domestic violence counseling.
"You apparently did have a drug test, and that drug test came out positive for marijuana," Los Angeles judge Patricia Schnegg said as Brown listened closely. Schnegg said Brown told Virginia probation officials he had a medical marijuana card and that the drug was consumed legally in California.
Brown's medical marijuana card was from acupuncturist Ketino Karakalidi.
"I'm not going to order a subsequent drug test, but this is my advice to you: You are not an average person," Judge Schnegg said. "You're not only in the public eye, but you're on probation ... I'm going to caution you. You should be very mindful of obeying all laws and rules."
Schnegg added that "a lot of kids" idolize him, and Brown "should also be conscious of that."
"Your mom knows, right mom?" Schnegg asked Brown's mom Joyce Hawkins, who was sitting in the front row.
"I do," Hawkins replied with a smile.
The judge ordered both sides back to court Nov. 1 to set a date for a probation violation hearing. Prosecutors claimed Monday that recent reporting from Virginia probation officials "indicates" potential violations.
Prosecutors argued Brown "failed to comply with the rules and regulations regarding traveling outside of the State of Virginia." They also alleged that he has 121 hours of community service left to complete as of August 15.
Brown's attorney Mark Geragos countered saying Brown pulled "double shifts" with his community labor in August to finish 120 hours.
Brown has now completed his community service, according to Virginia police. They say he did 1,402 hours, more than his six month sentence. He reportedly cleaned stables, washed cars, painted, and cleaned bathroom floors.
Twenty-three-year-old Brown had to skirt similar issues last year after a March 2011 appearance on "Good Morning America" went awry. When co-host Robin Roberts asked him about beating Rihanna, Brown reportedly lost control as soon as the cameras were off. The pop star threw a tantrum that eventually brought a response from New York Police, trashing his dressing room, hurling a chair at a window, and ripping off his T-shirt.
ABC staffers called security, but a formal complaint was never filed with authorities.
Brown was most recently in the news when customers at British retailer HMV found copies of his latest album, "Fortune," sold in UK stores with an apt advisory sticker reading, "Warning. Do not buy this album. This man beats women."