A preliminary hearing on drug and weapons charges for the Philadelphia rapper Beanie Sigel was continued at the request of prosecutors until evidence in the case could be processed in a lab.
Bail, originally set at $300,000, was changed to unsecured. This will allow Sigel to be transferred from the Delaware County prison to begin a two-year federal sentence for tax evasion. He was to report Wednesday. He had been held on a federal detainer, according to his attorney, Fortunato N. Perri Jr.
Sigel, 38, appearing far more alert than in his previous court appearance, gave two thumbs up to supporters in the small courtroom as he was led away in handcuffs.
Sigel and a friend, Gerald Lamont Andrews, 40, of Philadelphia, were arrested early Aug. 29 during a routine traffic stop by state troopers on I-95 near Exit 9 in Tinicum Township.
The tan Ford Fusion driven by Andrews was pulled over for following too close to a tractor-trailer. Sigel was asleep at the time. A precautionary search of the two and the car turned up the guns and drugs.
They were arrested on drug, weapons, and conspiracy charges. Andrews was also charged with traffic violations, tampering with identification, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Andrews' bail was reduced to $100,000. His hearing was also continued until Nov. 14.
Sigel was arrested just hours after the debut of his sixth album, This Time. A TV appearance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and four concerts have been canceled as a result of his arrest.
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