Nick Oliveri Trial: Bassist Pleads Not Guilty to Domestic Violence, Drugs and Gun Charges

Posted on Mar 9th 2012 2:40PM by Rob Smy Comments

Nick Oliveri Jo Hale

Nick Oliveri, the former bassist for Queens of the Stone Age, has pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges stemming from his arrest in July 2011, TMZ reports.

Oliveri -- who's most recently performed with Kyuss Lives! -- surrendered to police in Los Angeles after a four-hour standoff with the SWAT team. Oliveri was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, and a subsequent search of his Hollywood home turned up cocaine, methamphetamines and a loaded rifle.

Oliveri's girlfriend accused the singer of hitting her repeatedly on July 11, the day before an argument overhead by neighbors ultimately led police to the couple's door. The troubled rocker reportedly has a history of domestic violence, and in 2004, Queens of the Stone Age singer Josh Homme admitted that similar allegations had led to Oliveri's firing.

Oliveri is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and one misdemeanor count of resisting, obstructing or delaying a police officer.

A pre-trial is scheduled to take place on April 13; if Oliveri could face up to 15 years in prison.

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