Glamorous model girlfriend of NBA star seen in humiliating mugshot after being arrested on felony drug charges
The model girlfriend of Minnesota Timberwolves star LaMelo Ball has been arrested on felony drug charges.
Ana Montana, whose real name is Analicia Chaves, is facing two felony counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forgery.
The mother of Ball’s son is also facing two misdemeanor counts of simple possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, dating back to February 21.
Montana, who was previously romantically linked with soccer stars Karim Benzema and Axel Witsel, was being held by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina on a $20,000 bond.
A warrant for her arrest was issued on September 22 before law enforcement eventually caught up to her on Monday.
The arrest warrant says police allege Montana obtained alprazolam, which is a form of Xanax, from a Walgreens store using a DEA registration and medical provider ID that had allegedly been stolen from a doctor.
The model girlfriend of NBA star LaMelo Ball has been arrested on felony drug charges
Ana Montana is facing two felony counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forgery, as well as two misdemeanor counts of simple possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance
Addressing the news on Instagram on Monday, Montana wrote: ‘As many of you know, I recently experienced a difficult and unexpected situation. The love, encouragement, and support I’ve received from my friends, family, and online community have meant more to me than I can express.
‘Because this is now a legal matter, I’m limited in what I can share publicly. I have seen aspects of this situation portrayed in the media in a way that does not reflect the full context or circumstances of my experience. Turning someone’s painful personal circumstances into entertainment is hurtful I hope those sharing and commenting on this story will remember the human impact their words can have. For now, I’m allowing the legal process to take its course, and I respectfully ask that my privacy be honored.
‘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. I hope this moment also reminds people to show care and understanding toward those living with anxiety and other mental health challenges.
‘My focus is on my baby, my family, my faith, and protecting the peace we’ve worked hard to create. I will continue to respect the process and will not be making further public comments about this matter.
‘I remain committed to my nonprofit foundation and my work advocating for women, particularly those navigating IVF and fertility journeys. This mission means a lot to me, it’s my purpose and I’m grateful to continue serving the women and families who rely on this work.
‘Thank you to everyone who has shown me compassion, understanding, and support. Your kindness has meant so much. I’m choosing to move forward with faith, family, and purpose.’
Montana founded the I am Fertility nonprofit which offers support and education to women navigating fertility issues.
In a statement to TMZ, Montana’s lawyer said: ‘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.’
Ball is about to begin his first season with the Minnesota Timberwolves after being traded
Montana addressed her legal troubles in a lengthy and emotional Instagram statement
It continued: ‘The drug possession charges appear to allege that she possessed the aforementioned Alprazolam upon obtaining it from the pharmacy via the prescription written by the doctor.’
Montana and Ball have been romantically linked since 2021. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named LaOne, back in January but only announced the news in May.
Former Hornets star Ball is poised to begin his first season with the Timberwolves after he formed part of a complicated four-team trade with Brooklyn, Charlotte and Chicago.
He played in only 43 per cent of Charlotte’s games over a three-year stretch from 2022-25 before a promising 2025-26 season that helped propel the Hornets into the play-in games.
Ball has shown a recklessness on and off the court at times, too. But the Wolves will give him a stronger team around him than he ever had with the Hornets, and six years into his NBA career the 6-foot-7 Ball is still just 25.
