this post has been updated

New developments have appeared in the Jussie Smollett case.

After numerous unfounded reports, unsubstantiated by Cook County and the Chicago Police Department, the agency seems ready to make an official announcement after a Grand Jury hearing. After the two suspects in custody where released and agreed to cooperate with police, Smollett was called in for a meeting one final time before the new evidence was presented today.

Case Update: Jussie Smollett is now officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation by #ChicagoPolice for filing a false police report (Class 4 felony). Detectives are currently presenting evidence before a Cook County Grand Jury. pic.twitter.com/FhDcbBKsuU— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 20, 2019

Classified as a ‘Class 4 Felony’, Jussie could face serious time if found guilty of filing a falsified police report. The new evidence in question outside of undisclosed statements from the brothers seemed to be camera footage obtained from a local hardware store where the two purchased supplies for the “attack”. OIf course Smollett is entitled to a criminal defense lawyer at this point. However, this turn of events is certainly an unexpected one – especially when one takes into account the high profile nature of this case.

EXCLUSIVE:

I tracked down surveillance of the Osundairo’s buying supplies before “attack”

Sources say Jussie Smollet told brothers what to buy.

Countless phone calls placed for this.

Visited more stores than I wish to admit. @cbschicago https://t.co/GT6h2g6Y9a pic.twitter.com/ULr3UTDe9Q— Charlie De Mar (@CharlieDeMar) February 20, 2019

UPDATE 8PM/EST

Actor Jussie Smollett has been indicted for filing a false-report to Chicago police in connection to the alleged hate-crime incident last month.

Cook County State’s Attorney’s office confirmed felony charges following a day hearings in front of a Grand Jury where evidence was presented by Chicago police. The actor now faces a Class 4 felony and could see prison time between 1 to 3 three years if found guilty.

No arrests have been at time of reporting however Smollett is expected in court Thursday afternoon in Chicago for a bond hearing.

Before Smollett’s status changed in the investigation, the top prosecutor in Chicago recused herself from any criminal proceedings into the actor’s incident without elaborating on the motivation behind stepping aside to such a high-profile case on Tuesday night.

State’s Attorney Kim Foxx responded hours before the announcement as approved by her office into why she recused herself from the investigations. Foxx says she met with a Smollett family member earlier in the day and worried the meeting could impact any potential prosecution proceedings.

“Shortly after the incident occurred in late January, State’s Attorney Foxx had conversations with a family member of Jussie Smollett about the incident and their concerns, and facilitated a connection to the Chicago Police Department who were investigating the incident,” chief communications officer Tandra Simonton told The Advocate.

“Based on those prior conversations and out of an abundance of caution, last week State’s Attorney Foxx decided to remove herself from the decision making in this matter and delegated it to her First Assistant Joseph Magats, a 28-year veteran prosecutor.”

Felony criminal charges have been approved by @CookCountySAO against Jussie Smollett for Disorderly Conduct / Filing a False Police Report. Detectives will make contact with his legal team to negotiate a reasonable surrender for his arrest. pic.twitter.com/LvBSYE2kVj— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 21, 2019

Photo: ABC/Good Morning America