JESSE, the vocalist of the rock band RIZE, has been arrested on suspicion of using illegal drugs, and investigators are examining a Hawaii supply route as one possible source, according to reports. Police identified the suspect as Jesse McFaddin Solato, 46.
He was arrested on November 4 or shortly before on suspicion of using a small amount of cocaine in or around Tokyo, in violation of the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act, and the arrest became known on November 7. A urine test was positive, according to reports.
His management office released a statement on November 7 apologizing to fans and people involved and saying it was working to confirm the facts.
Prior conviction and a Hawaii connection
JESSE has a previous conviction: in 2019 he received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for three years, for possession of cannabis and other charges under the Cannabis Control Act.
A person involved in the investigation said JESSE travels back and forth between Japan and Hawaii. He has run a private company in Togoshi, in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward, for about 10 years, handling apparel and restaurant businesses, and that business brings him to Hawaii. Investigators have not ruled out Hawaii as one source of the cocaine and are continuing to look into it, the person said.
Band activity and a canceled festival appearance
RIZE also includes the actor Nobuaki Kaneko on drums and his brother KenKen on bass. The band broke through after its 2000 single "Why I'm Me" was used as a commercial song.
JESSE's father is the guitarist Char, 71. In December, JESSE said on Instagram, where he has about 120,000 followers, that numbness in his right hand from nerve compression had not gone away, and that he would suspend live performances from January. He resumed performing that summer.
RIZE played an event in Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, on October 31. JESSE had been scheduled to appear at a festival in Tokyo on November 7, but the appearance was called off at short notice after the arrest.