LOS ANGELES : Arrest Warrant Extended for Rapper Tupac Shakur

A judge extended an arrest warrant Wednesday for Tupac Shakur, even though the rapper and actor is in a New York City jail infirmary ward awaiting sentencing on a sexual abuse conviction.

“When Mr. Shakur doesn’t show up, he doesn’t show up,” Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Paul Flynn said in denying a request to modify the “no bail” bench warrant. Flynn said he would consider changing the terms at a hearing Feb. 24.

Shakur, 23, and co-defendant Maurice S. Harding, who was in court Wednesday, face weapons charges stemming from an April traffic stop. The men were arrested after officers said they found two 9-millimeter pistols in their car.

Shakur, a co-star in the film “Poetic Justice” who records for Los Angeles-based Interscope Records, was charged with single counts each of carrying a loaded gun and a concealed weapon. Harding faces one count of carrying a concealed weapon.

Shakur, who was shot five times during a robbery outside a New York recording studio the night before he was found guilty on sexual abuse charges, is recuperating at Riker’s Island jail.

His bail in the New York case has been set at $3 million pending a Feb. 7 sentencing date.

Los Angeles County Deputy Dist. Atty. Scott Goodwin said it is possible that Shakur could have his bail reduced on appeal after he is sentenced. If that happens, he said, the rapper could possibly make the late February court appearance date in Los Angeles.