NBA superstar LaMelo Ball's partner, model Analicia Chaves, known as Ana Montana, has been arrested on felony drug charges. The 36-year-old was taken into custody in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, US, on Monday (28 September). She faces two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forgery and two misdemeanour counts of simple possession, as reported by NeedToKnow.
Arrest and charges
Montana, who welcomed a baby son with Minnesota Timberwolves star Ball, 25, in January, was reportedly held on a $20,000 bond following her arrest. The former Charlotte Hornets third overall pick of the 2020 NBA draft, 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year and 2022 NBA All-Star went public with the birth of their son, LaOne, in May.
Ball was soon traded to the Timberwolves from the Charlotte Hornets in June as his young family had to move 1,321 miles for his career.
Alleged prescription fraud
According to TMZ, an arrest warrant alleges Montana obtained alprazolam, the generic name for Xanax, from a Walgreens pharmacy. The prescription was allegedly written using a doctor's stolen Drug Enforcement Administration registration and medical provider identification details. The alleged incident took place on 21 February, with the warrant reportedly issued on 22 September.
However, Montana's lawyer clarified that the charges allege a doctor prescribed the medication to her using “fraudulent” DEA registration and NPI numbers. Montana then allegedly used the prescription at the pharmacy.
Her lawyer told TMZ: “The drug possession charges appear to allege that she possessed the aforementioned Alprazolam upon obtaining it from the pharmacy via the prescription written by the doctor.”
Career and personal life
Montana and Ball launched a non-profit project together, called I Am Fertility, a platform created to support women going through fertility and IVF journeys. A cause close to her heart after she previously spoke publicly about her own personal journeys.
The model, fashion influencer, social media personality and entrepreneur has built a huge following of 3 million Instagram followers and works with brands including Fashion Nova. She regularly posts on Instagram about her collaborations with the brand as well as sharing the behind-the-scenes of her life with her baby son and the odd bikini snaps as she enjoyed the summer sun.
Montana has also appeared in music videos for artists Flo Rida and Rick Ross thanks to her work in fashion and social media.
