Rapper Mystikal Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Rape Charge

Michael Lawrence Taylor, publicly known as the rapper Mystikal, received a 20-year prison sentence in Louisiana’s Ascension Parish Court on Tuesday, June 16. The sentencing follows his guilty plea to a third-degree rape charge in March 2023.

Mystikal was arrested in July 2022 after an altercation with a woman at his Louisiana residence. He was accused of choking, assaulting, raping, and robbing the victim. Reports from WBRZ indicated that he was also accused of holding the woman’s keys and detaining her until she sent him money via CashApp.

The victim testified in court, stating that Mystikal "punched her, choked her, pulled braids out of her hair and forcibly raped her." She was reportedly hospitalized and treated for minor injuries at the time of the 2022 incident. Mystikal reportedly told the courtroom, "If I did that to you, I deserve the max sentence."

Prior to his plea agreement for the third-degree rape charge, Mystikal had faced more severe charges, including first-degree rape, felony domestic abuse by strangulation, false imprisonment, simple robbery, and criminal damage to property. A conviction for first-degree rape could have resulted in a life sentence.

WBRZ also reported that Mystikal and his attorney filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea, arguing that the rapper did not "have sufficient opportunity to fully consider the consequences." However, the court dismissed this motion.

Mystikal has a history of sexual assault allegations. In 2004, he was convicted of sexual battery and extortion of his hairstylist, serving six years in prison before his release in 2010. He was also arrested in 2017 on rape and kidnapping charges, which were later dropped in 2020 after he posted a $3 million bond. The New Orleans rapper is known for early 2000s hits like "Shake Ya A—" and his feature on Joe's "Stutter."

According to Billboard, Mystikal's attorney and the District Attorney's Office were contacted for comment.