Mel B's ex Stephen Belafonte 'faces prosecution over bullet found at his home as agents consider firearms charges'

  • Stephen Belafonte's home in Hollywood was searched by agents on Friday
  • 41-year-old is barred from having a gun or ammunition after conviction in 2003
  • Agents reportedly discovered an empty shell casing and a bullet out of its casing
  • US Attorney in Los Angeles is now reviewing the case for a possible prosecution
  • Comes as estranged wife Mel B made explosive allegations about their 10-year marriage, claiming she was subjected to emotional and physical violence

By Julian Robinson for MailOnline

Published: 10:20 GMT, 5 April 2017 | Updated: 11:48 GMT, 5 April 2017

Mel B's estranged husband Stephen Belafonte faces prosecution after a bullet out of its casing was found at his home, it has been reported.

Agents searched the 41-year-old's home in Hollywood last week to find out whether he was in possession of a gun or ammunition.  

Prosecutors are now considering firearms charges based on their findings, having reportedly seized evidence at the scene. Belafonte could face 10 years if convicted of illegal possession of a firearm.

It comes as former Spice Girl Mel B, also 41, made explosive claims about their 10-year marriage including that she was subjected to racist slurs, emotional and physical violence in front of the children and that he extorted her to take part in threesomes.

 Mel B's estranged husband Stephen Belafonte (left with the former Spice Girl) faces prosecution after an empty shell casing and a bullet out of its casing was found at his home, it has been reported

According to TMZ, Belafonte is barred from having a gun or ammunition having been convicted of domestic violence in 2003.

His house was raided on Friday and law enforcement sources told the website an empty shell casing and a bullet that was out of the casing were found. But they are not technically 'ammunition' because neither item is in itself a projectile, TMZ reports. No gun was found, the sources said.

However, prosecutors are examining the findings to determine whether to charge Belafonte.

Footage shows agents arriving ahead of the search last week. Belafonte told the person filming that he had 'no idea' why his house was searched and denied he had been handcuffed.

'They didn't detain me. They just asked me questions real quick,' he said.

He added: 'I have no idea what's going on - maybe they were pranking or swatting.'

The search came after his brother Jeremiah Stansbury, 43, laid bare the couple's issues which saw the former Spice Girl feeling 'nervous' about the presence of a firearm in their household.

Speaking to The Sun, he revealed: 'In America keeping guns is normal but I remember one of the maids telling me that Mel was confused about why he needs one. 

'She seemed to be a bit nervous about it,' he added.

Court documents this week revealed the horrific campaign of abuse which former Spice Girl Mel B claims 'monster' Belafonte waged against her.

The papers follow the singer's application for a temporary restraining order amid the former couple's bitter divorce battle.

Severe: Mel has now filed a court application cataloguing allegations of her estranged husband's violence

Severe: Mel has now filed a court application cataloguing allegations of her estranged husband's violence

Mel states in the documents: 'I am in fear for my safety and that of my children... Likewise the Respondent's emotional and physical abuse of Petitioner in the presence of the minor child is tantamount to abuse of the minor child.'

She continues: 'I have tried to leave the Respondent many times. Every time I tried, the Respondent threatened me with violence and threatened to destroy my life in every way.

'He said he would destroy my career and take my kids from me. He threatened to release sexually explicit videotapes claiming I would never again work in the entertainment industry.'

Mel also claims Stephen called her a 'f****** monkey,' in a racist slur during a campaign of terror.

Happier times: Mel has regularly posted loved-up pictures of herself and Stephen on Instagram

Happier times: Mel has regularly posted loved-up pictures of herself and Stephen on Instagram

She claims he treated nanny Lorraine Gilles as his wife telling Mel that she raises the children better than her and she's a younger, better looking model. 

She alleges he gave her tens of thousands of pounds of Mel's cash, including $300,000 for an abortion after she fell pregnant with his child. 

Belafonte has denied his estranged wife's claims, telling TMZ on camera: 'I haven't heard these allegations. You know what my comment on this is, as this is the mother of my children? I'm really really distraught my brain how this is going to affect our children (sic), and the depths that she's gone to. That's it. I'm shocked at those allegations and that's what it is.

'I think someone's set me up to look like a bad guy. Obviously you saw my house got raided and nobody found anything. It's accusation after accusation. But we'll have our day in court.

'And we have children. if anyone knows our children, we have beautiful children. They're on social media. Why do this?

'We were friends two weeks ago. And now all of a sudden the team gets around and now it's got to be this.'