On Thursday, January 16, news broke that a former member of Wu-Tang Clan, Method Man, had been arrested and charged with assault after a physical altercation at a Crunch Fitness location on Staten Island. The allegations claimed that the rapper and actor assaulted 28-year-old Patrick Sokoya, a man who reportedly dated his daughter over a decade ago. Sokoya contacted police days after the alleged assault, which he claimed occurred outside of a fitness center Method Man frequents.
The story was reported on by The New York Post, which alleged Method Man, whose real name is Clifford Smith, punched Sokoya seven times in the face before the New York Police Department was called in. A report was filed with the NYPD, but no arrests were made.
“Mr. Smith categorically denies the allegations as reported and has not been the subject of an arrest by any law enforcement agency,” a representative for Method Man said in a written statement on Friday, January 17.
The accusation from Sokya comes days after the alleged assault. He claimed that he did not seek medical attention despite feeling dizzy afterward. Police are continuing to look into the allegations.
This is not the first time Method Man has faced allegations, though his previous charges in 2010 and 2009 were for tax evasion. He hasn’t released any singles since 2022, but the 53-year-old did appear in collabs with Redman, 38 Spesh, Skyzoo, Your Old Droog, Ghostface Killah, and Marlon Craft in 2024.
