Philly rapper Cassidy sent to jail for probation violation

Philadelphia rapper Cassidy has been arrested in New Jersey for allegedly violating his probation, according to reports.

Cassidy a/k/a Barry Reese, 28, was charged with murder in 2005, but was acquitted in 2006 when witnesses recanted their statements.

Reese, formerly of the city's Cedarbrook section, was then charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and possessing an instrument of crime. He was released from prison later in 2006, credited with time served.

Reese reportedly failed to check in with his probation officer, and local authorities notified officials in Hackensack, N.J., who arrested him near his home on Saturday.

Fortunato Perri, Reese's attorney, said that the violation was technical in nature and that he hopes to get the issue resolved during a hearing tomorrow.

Perri was unsure how much longer Reese will be on probation, or how often he was expected to check in with his probation officer.

The New York Daily News reported that Reese had been sought in connection with a murder in Philadelphia, but police here said in a release that the rapper had been wanted only for his probation violation and not in connection with any other crimes.

Musically, Cassidy is perhaps most widely known for his single "I'm a Hustla," which debuted in 2005 and featured Jay-Z.

Reese was in the Bergen County Jail Annex awaiting extradition to Philadelphia.