Rapper Foxy Brown Restored to Probation in Good Standing in 2004 Assault Case

NEW YORK – Foxy Brown, threatened with jail after being accused of violating probation that stemmed from an assault case, was restored to probation in good standing Thursday by a Manhattan judge.

"I'm going to restore her to probation," Criminal Court Judge Melissa Jackson said over objections by a Probation Department lawyer. "There's no necessity for the court to monitor her."

Over the past two months, the 27-year-old rapper has kept appointments with her probation officer, gotten permission before leaving the state, passed her drug tests and attended required anger management classes, Jackson said.

"I see a positive probation report here," Jackson told Brown. "It was a real struggle to get you onboard. I want to see you finish this sentence and go on to a happy life."

Brown, in a brown-and-turquoise sundress and taupe stiletto heels, smiled and thanked the judge.

Attorney Mathilda Leo of the Probation Department noted that two months had passed since Brown seemed to have improved her attitude. She suggested the judge should wait another two months before restoring Brown to probation.

Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand, had been on three years' probation stemming from an Aug. 29, 2004, incident in Manhattan's Chelsea area in which she attacked two manicurists at a nail salon over payment.

Her misdemeanor assault plea deal included a requirement that she get permission from her probation officer before leaving the state.

Brown was accused of violating probation when she went to Florida where she was arrested Feb. 15 for allegedly throwing hair glue at a beauty shop employee when he asked her to leave because the shop was closing. She later struggled with an officer, police said. The judge could have jailed her for up to a year for violating probation by going to Florida.

Charged with battery and resisting an officer with violence, Brown was released after posting a $1,500 bond. That case is pending.