Rapper Mystikal has pleaded guilty to third-degree rape in connection with a 2022 case in Louisiana, marking a significant development in a long-running legal battle.
The artist, whose real name is Michael Tyler, entered the plea Tuesday in an Ascension Parish courtroom near Baton Rouge. As part of the agreement, more serious charges—including first-degree rape, domestic abuse battery, and false imprisonment—were reduced.
Tyler now faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. A judge has ordered a presentence investigation, with sentencing expected at a later date.
The case stems from an incident in July 2022, when authorities responded to a hospital report involving an alleged sexual assault. Investigators said the victim had visible injuries and identified Tyler as the suspect. He was later arrested at his home and has remained in custody without bond since that time.
According to reports, the victim accused Tyler of rape, physical assault, and preventing her from leaving by taking her phone and keys.
Tyler initially pleaded not guilty to the charges following his arrest. However, the recent plea deal significantly reduces the severity of the potential punishment compared to the original charges, which could have resulted in a mandatory life sentence if convicted.
Mystikal rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits like “Shake Ya A**” and earned Grammy nominations during his career. However, his legal troubles span decades. In 2004, he was convicted of sexual assault and extortion in a separate case involving his hairstylist, serving six years in prison and being required to register as a sex offender.
The latest guilty plea adds another chapter to the rapper’s controversial history, as the court prepares to determine his sentence in the coming months.
