Model and influencer Analicia “Ana Montana” Chaves was booked into the Mecklenburg County jail in North Carolina on September 28, 2026. The arrest followed a months-long investigation into an alleged fraudulent prescription scheme at a local Walgreens pharmacy. Authorities charged the 36-year-old partner of NBA player LaMelo Ball with two felony counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud or forgery, along with two misdemeanor counts of simple possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance.
Details of the Arrest Warrant and Charges
Court records show that an arrest warrant was issued for Chaves on September 22, six days before she surrendered to authorities. The charges stem from an incident on February 21, 2026. Investigators allege that alprazolam, the generic form of Xanax, was obtained using medical provider credentials and a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration that had been stolen or fraudulently acquired.
Booking records indicate that Chaves was initially held on bond before her release. Her next court appearance is scheduled for October 20, 2026.
Defense Counsel Response
Matthew G. Pruden, an attorney representing Chaves, spoke to media outlets about the allegations. He clarified that the state does not accuse his client of forging the prescription herself.
To clarify, the charges allege that a doctor who used a fraudulent DEA registration and NPI number prescribed Alprazolam for Ms. Chaves, and that she used the prescription written by the doctor to obtain the prescribed Alprazolam at a pharmacy, Pruden stated.
Defense representatives noted that the misdemeanor possession counts stem directly from Chaves possessing the medication that the pharmacy dispensed to her via the presented prescription.
North Carolina Legal Framework
Under North Carolina General Statutes § 90-108(10), acquiring a controlled substance through misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, or subterfuge is prosecuted as a Class I felony when intentional conduct is alleged. Alprazolam is classified under Schedule IV of the state’s controlled substances laws, making simple possession a misdemeanor.
Legal authorities emphasize that charging documents and arrest warrants do not establish guilt. Chaves remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Ana Montana’s Public Statement
Following intense media coverage, Chaves addressed her followers via Instagram Stories. She thanked those who offered compassion and support while asking for privacy.
I’ve struggled with anxiety for years and have tried to navigate it privately. It’s difficult to see personal circumstances discussed publicly without the full context, Chaves wrote. My focus is on my baby, my family, my faith, and protecting the peace we’ve worked hard to create.
Personal Context and Background
Chaves is widely recognized as the longtime partner of basketball star LaMelo Ball. The couple welcomed their first child together, a son named LaOne, in January 2026, and shared the news publicly around Mother’s Day in May. Ball, who plays in the NBA, has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the criminal case.
Beyond her modeling career and media presence, Chaves is a co-founder of I Am Fertility, a nonprofit organization created to support women navigating fertility treatments and IVF journeys.
