Incarcerated rapper Dmx has pleaded guilty to four charges of animal cruelty, drug possession and theft in three separate cases.

The star, real name Earl Simmons, entered his pleas at a court hearing on Tuesday. They included one count of animal cruelty and one count of possession of narcotic drugs.

In two separate cases, the rapper also pleaded guilty to theft and possession of marijuana, reports TMZ.com.

Simmons was captured earlier this month when an Arizona judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he missed a court appearance to face charges of drug possession.

He was tracked down at the Miami, Florida home of fugitive hip-hop producer Scott Storch and held in Miami-Dade County jail until his extradition to Arizona's Maricopa County Jail on 19 December.

As part of a plea agreement, all additional charges against him were dropped.

The rapper's sentencing is scheduled for 30 January.