The state Supreme Court judge also recommended that state correction authorities determine whether ODB – whose real name is Russell Jones – needs psychiatric or substance abuse treatment. Jones was arrested in July 1999 when police found cocaine and marijuana in his car after he was pulled over for running a red light.

He pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance. Jones, 32, was a founding member of the popular Staten Island-based rap group the Wu-Tang Clan.

The group has sold millions of albums and has a successful clothing line. Its members, including Jones, also have enjoyed considerable solo success.

Since 1987 Jones has been wounded in shootings and arrested on a veritable laundry-list of charges, including drug possession, menacing security officers, illegally possessing body armor, driving with a suspended license, shoplifting and threatening a former girlfriend.