Search Warrants Issued Over Leaked Police Photo Of Rihanna

Access Hollywood has confirmed that two search warrants have been issued in the ongoing probe into the Chris Brown-Rihanna case and it is believed they involve how a confidential police photograph of Rihanna wound up on the Internet.

Although Los Angeles Police will not confirm it, one warrant is believed to have allowed investigators access to computers inside the Police Department itself, as they seek to find out who transmitted the picture. The photo was to be used as evidence in a potential criminal case against Rihanna’s then-boyfriend, singer Chris Brown and it showed Rihanna with a badly bruised face.

According to a police report, the singers became involved in a heated argument while driving through the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles during the early hours of February 8, the day of the Grammy Awards, which both were scheduled to attend. Police report Brown struck the singer several times.

Within days of the incident, the photo wound up on TMZ’s Web site. A police investigation began almost immediately into how TMZ acquired the photograph, which was supposed to be kept confidential, since it involved a domestic violence investigation.

Police officials at the time said there would be an investigation to find out who was responsible. Authorities told Access that an investigation is ongoing.

One warrant has been executed, however, the names, dates, and other identifying information has not been released. The second warrant has not been executed and the target of that warrant has also not been identified, although TMZ is the only Web site or television show claiming to have independently acquired the picture.

Access attempted to reach TMZ, but as of this posting, they have not responded.

Chris Brown has already pled not guilt to one count of assault and another count of making criminal threats. Both charges are felonies. Brown has another hearing on April 29th.