HOUSTON – Houston rapper Paul Wall was arrested Friday morning on a drug charge, according to court records.
Court records showed that Wall, whose real name is Paul Michael Slayton, 35, was charged with manufacturing/delivery of a controlled substance, which is a felony.
The substance, according to court documents, was tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly known as THC.
Fellow rapper Baby Bash, whose real name is Ronald Ray Bryant, 47, was also arrested and charged with manufacturing/delivery of a controlled substance.
Bryant said the charges against him are misleading.
"Man it was just a gathering of the cannabis community, you know there's a big cannabis community in Houston, it was no big drugs or anything crazy, it was just a smokeout," Bryant said.
According to Houston police, the group was arrested during a raid.
Their arrest location was near Slayton's home in the Heights.
“He's pretty quiet. It’s not like there are crowds of people coming over here to see him all the time,” said Lauren Varnado, one of Paul Wall’s neighbors.
Earlier on Friday she put up a “Free Paul Wall” sign on her front fence.
Both men vehemently deny the charges against them.
Slayton's public relations manager said the charges against Slayton are misleading -- or a "misconception" as she put it.
Slayton is known in the Houston community not only as a rapper but for his charitable side.
We were with him on Dec. 16 for a holiday kick off that included prizes and also college advice for high schoolers.
Slayton's PR manager said that is how he's best known throughout the community.
"He does annual back to school drives and toy drives. He’s done at least 11 alone. He’s a member of Parents Against Predators. He’s an advocate for our youth and he’s an advocate for our community and those who know him, they know that about Paul," Arnaecia Alridge said.
"I am confident as this case is investigated, [Slayton] will be exonerated. Thus far, what's been said about him is inaccurate," Jolanda Jones, Slayton's attorney, said.
In a statement, Jones said:
"Mr. Paul Slayton, aka Paul Wall, is innocent until proven guilty. It is early in this case. We are confident that after a thorough investigation of these allegations Mr. Slayton will be proven not guilty. I will fight vigorously to defend my client."
Both men posted bonds of $20,000 each. They are expected back in court Tuesday. Slayton left jail around 1 p.m. Friday.
Stay with KPRC 2 and Click2Houston.com for the latest on this developing story.
One of @paulwallbaby neighbors showing support for rapper after his drug arrest early Friday. He bonded out of jail this afternoon @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/tX5u5NcB2t
— Samantha Ptashkin (@SamPtashkin) December 23, 2016