Florida Sentinel Bulletin

TAMPA — Actor Danny Glover and one of reggae legend Bob Marley’s sons are voicing their support for Grammy-winner Buju Banton, who is awaiting sentencing in a drug trafficking case.

The Jamaican singer was convicted in February in Tampa federal court of conspiring to set up a cocaine deal in 2009. He faces a mandatory minimum 15-year prison sentence.

In court documents filed Thursday seeking a shorter sentence, Banton’s attorney, David Markus, included letters of support from the singer’s fans and some of his 15 children.

Glover wrote that Banton is a role model and spiritual leader. Reggae singer Stephen Marley wrote that Banton “has inspired and uplifted many” throughout his career.

Atlanta Hawks basketball player Etan Thomas wrote that he still hopes to include Banton in a book he’s planning about fatherhood.

Banton’s sentencing is June 23.

MIAMI BEACH — Rapper Flo Rida hid his face and refused to comment as he left a Miami police station Thursday, hours after being arrested for DUI in a $1.7-million sports car.

The musician emerged from with a towel draped over his head and was flanked by his entourage as he headed silently toward an awaiting car.

Flo Rida, whose real name is Tramar Dillard, was arrested in Miami Beach after police caught him driving erratically in his red and black Bugatti Veyron — a sleek, luxury car capable of reaching 255 mph.

Dillard reportedly had bloodshot eyes and was slurring his speech when he was pulled over.

The “Low” hitmaker reportedly measured .185 on a breathalyzer test, more than twice the legal limit.

A large crowd gathered around the rapper, with bystanders apparently urging cops to let the celebrity suspect go unpunished.

Breathe a sigh of relief, “SVU” fans! Even though Chris Meloni won’t be back as Elliot Stabler, one of the detectives is returning.

Rapper Ice-T, who plays the street-smart Fin Tutuola, tweeted some good news about his contract: “I’ve just I’ve just locked in my new SVU deal.. So I’ll officially be back for the next 2 years at least. DONE,” he told followers.

As for replacements for Meloni and Hargitay, it sounds like no one’s been chosen to fill their big shoes yet. “At this moment no one else is locked as new members of the show..,” Ice-T added.

Here’s to hoping that Richard Belzer’s hilarious conspiracy fan John Munch and Tutuola become the new central characters.

Jennifer Hudson was hospitalized Friday morning with stomach pains during a break between concert appearances on ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’ and CBS’ ‘Early Show,’ her rep told reporters and fans.

Later it was revealed that she was treated for food poisoning.

The Grammy and Oscar winner scheduled two big events for Friday to promote her new album, ‘I Remember Me,’ and made it through her ‘GMA’ visit.

But before she could hit the CBS stage she became ill with “abdominal pain” and was “unable to perform” and was taken to an undisclosed hospital and released.

On ‘GMA,’ Hudson spoke with Robin Roberts in Central Park about her busy schedule, which includes a memoir, two films and raising a son, David Daniel Otunga Jr.

Thandie Newton has revealed that she has come to terms with a traumatic relationship with a film director 23 years her senior who she claims took advantage of her innocence as a teenager.

She spoke about her six-year affair with director John Duigan which she began when she was 16 after traveling to Australia to audition for his film “Flirting,” which starred Nicole Kidman.

The Bafta-winning actress has said the relationship left her feeling ‘self-destructive’ and said she has only spoken about it ‘so teenagers can see they can resist and gain self-awareness’.

Speaking to InStyle magazine, Miss Newton, 38, star of Mission: Impossible II, The Pursuit of Happyness and Rock ‘n Rolla, claims Duigan took advantage of her when she was vulnerable.

Jamaican reggae singer Buju Banton is asking for a shorter prison sentence.

The Grammy winner was convicted in February of conspiring to set up a cocaine deal in Florida in 2009. He faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison at his sentencing hearing June 23 in Tampa federal court.

In court documents filed Thursday, Banton’s attorney, David Markus, says a 15-year-sentence is “way more than necessary” in Banton’s case.

He contends that Banton’s limited participation in the drug buy, his charitable work in Jamaica and his otherwise clean record entitle the singer to a reduced sentence.

The documents include letters of support for Banton from actor, Danny Glover, reggae singer, Stephen Marley and Atlanta Hawks basketball player, Etan Thomas.

Banton also seeks an acquittal and a new trial.

LOS ANGELES — “Camp Rock 2” actor Matthew “Mdot” Finley has been released from the hospital in a wheelchair and faces “extensive rehabilitation and therapy” following a May 26 motorcycle crash.

Finley’s manager, Eric Ortner, said Wednesday the singer-actor was released last Tuesday from UCLA Medical Center after undergoing several surgeries for injuries he received when he lost control of his motorcycle in the Santa Monica Mountains and plummeted off a cliff.

Ortner said that Finley suffered multiple injuries to his face, head and legs but is “determined to get back on the dance floor,” including a possible stint on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

Finley played rival Luke Williams in the Disney Channel sequel starring the Jonas Brothers.

Ja Rule is facing an additional three years in prison after pleading guilty to evading taxes on Tuesday. Ja Rule owes the IRS $1.1 Million in back taxes after years of filing incorrect information.

Ja Rule was recently convicted on gun charges and is sentenced to 2 years in a New York prison.

He turned himself in and was processed and sent to New York’s notorious Rikers Island Prison, where he will remain until he is assigned his more permanent lock up in Upstate New York.

Lupe Fiasco has never held his tongue when it comes to politics, but his latest words may surprise some. In a new interview, the rapper sounds off on President Obama and terrorism.

“In my fight against terrorism, to me, the biggest terrorist is Obama in the United States of America,” the Chicago lyricist told CBS News’ “What’s Trending.” “For me, I’m trying to fight the terrorism that’s actually causing the other forms of terrorism. The root cause of the terrorism is the stuff that you as a government allow to happen and the foreign policies that we have in place in different countries that inspire people to become terrorists. And it’s easy for us because it’s really just some oil, which we can really get on our own.”

Lupe, who did not vote in the last presidential election, will not be voting in 2012. “I don’t vote. I don’t get involved in the political process because it’s meaningless, to be honest. I’m a real big believer if I’m gonna vouch for someone, then I’m gonna stand behind everything that they do,” he explained. “So politicians aren’t gonna do that because I don’t want you to bomb some village in the middle of nowhere.”

The reporter then asked him what would happen if no one voted to which he replied, “Who knows. Let’s try it out and see what happens.”

We had mad respect for Lupe, but Lupe is not so smart after all. Another one bites the dust. Register to vote, Fiasco. Go Obama – 2012.