Once celebrated for his high-energy hits and Grammy nods, rapper Mystikal has now admitted in court to a serious crime tied to an incident at his Louisiana residence nearly four years ago.
Court filings show the 55-year-old artist, born Michael Lawrence Tyler, entered a guilty plea on Tuesday in Ascension Parish, accepting a charge of third-degree rape.
His legal team has yet to publicly respond, with his attorney not returning requests for comment as of Wednesday, the AP reported.
Tyler now faces a possible prison term of up to 25 years, with no option for parole, probation, or a suspended sentence. The court has set June 15 for sentencing.
He has remained behind bars without bond since 2022, following his arrest over accusations that he raped and choked a woman at his home in Prairieville, a town located about 18 miles from Baton Rouge.
Mystikal rose to prominence in the 1990s, building a national profile that peaked in the early 2000s. Among his biggest tracks is “Shake Ya A(asterisk)(asterisk),” which earned a Grammy nomination for best rap solo performance.
His legal troubles date back more than two decades. In 2003, he pleaded guilty to sexual battery and sentenced to six years in prison. That same year he was nominated for two Grammy awards; Best rap album for “Tarantula” and best male rap solo performance for his single “Bouncin’ Back (Bumpin’ Me Against The Wall).”
