American Entertainment News: Rapper Cash Out Handed Life Sentence Following Conviction in RICO and Sexual Misconduct Case
In a major headline shaking the music industry, American rapper Cash Out has been handed a life sentence following his conviction in a RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) and sexual assault case
Born John Gibson, Cash Out was found guilty last Friday in an Atlanta courtroom. He received a life term for the rape conviction, along with an additional 70 years tied to various charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, illegal firearm possession, and other criminal offenses.
According to WSB-TV Atlanta, these sentences will be served simultaneously.
In an unexpected twist, his mother Linda Smith was also convicted, receiving 30 years—20 years for racketeering, and another 10 (concurrently served) for sex trafficking.
His cousin, Tyrone Taylor, faced even graver punishment: a life sentence for aggravated sodomy and rape, in addition to 60 years for trafficking, physical assault, false imprisonment, and drug-related crimes.
All three individuals have been placed on the sex offender registry and are legally barred from having any future contact with the victims or entering Fulton Industrial Boulevard, the area associated with their crimes.
The legal battle began in June 2023, when charges were first leveled against Gibson. His defense argued that the alleged victims were pressured by authorities into giving false testimony.
However, during the proceedings, it was revealed that Gibson allegedly attempted to intimidate witnesses, often with the aid of his mother. The jury was shown interrogation footage from 2021 of Smith after her arrest at a physical therapy clinic. In the video, she denied involvement, claiming she was searching for a friend who missed a probation meeting.
Nevertheless, audio recordings played in court captured Gibson instructing Smith to track down the woman in question. In one clip, Smith remarked, “I mean, y’all acting like I done kidnapped her.”
Prosecutors described Gibson’s actions as part of a “seven-year campaign of terror”, during which he leveraged his celebrity status to manipulate and exploit women.
The trial, which began two months ago, centered around claims that Gibson, along with Smith and Taylor, manipulated and coerced multiple women into performing sex acts. Many of these women were reportedly lured through promises of financial compensation and prominent roles in their music label, Pyrez Music Group.
One witness claimed she was only provided food in exchange for engaging in sexual activity for money. Fulton County prosecutor Earnell Winfrey told the jury, “This isn’t just ordinary pimping—this is full-scale human trafficking.”
Prior to sentencing, Gibson maintained his innocence, asserting the jury had “made the wrong call”. He claimed the women were all of legal age and had consented to their roles.
Among the most damning evidence were text messages extracted from eight separate phones, which documented the trio’s criminal operations and internal coordination.
This high-profile conviction has sparked intense conversation across the music world and has become a major talking point in Nigerian Entertainment News, as fans and observers from around the globe continue to follow the fallout.
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