Louisiana rapper known as Mystikal requested a judge withdraw his guilty plea from a 2022 rape case. In March, the musical artist said he “did not have sufficient opportunity to fully consider the consequences” before admitting fault, so he believes his request should be considered.

Request to Revoke Admission

Attorneys for Mystikal filed the motion on Friday, June 12, 2026, just days before he was scheduled for sentencing. The artist, named Michael Lawrence Tyler at birth, was arrested in 2022 for first-degree rape, which carries an automatic life sentence, and false imprisonment.

The rapper has been held in Ascension Parish Jail in Louisiana without bond since his arrest in 2022, when he was charged with first-degree rape, simple robbery, domestic abuse battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and simple criminal damage to property. 

Prosecutors Offer Lenient Sentence

Prosecutors declined to pursue the nine other charges by filing legal notices of nolle prosequi, Latin for “to be unwilling to pursue.” Instead, they offered him a plea deal capping his sentence at 20 years for a reduced charge of third-degree rape, which he agreed to and pleaded guilty to on March 17, 2026. 

During the plea arrangement, Mystikal claims he was “under significant emotional distress and felt substantial pressure to make an immediate decision,” according to Friday’s filing.

Although the victim appeared at his sentencing hearing and requested that he receive the maximum sentence for his crimes against her. “If I did that to you, I deserve the max sentence,” he responded, completely disregarding her traumatizing experience.

Disturbing Assault Allegations

An arrest warrant in the case detailed the events surrounding the crimes. It stated that Mystikal accused an acquaintance of stealing while she was in his Prairieville, Louisiana, home. He proceeded to punch her, choke her, pull braids out of her hair, and take her keys and phone so she was unable to leave.

Officers responded to a call from a local hospital in relation to a sexual assault on July 30, 2022, at approximately 11:58 p.m. The detectives on the case talked with the victim and noted that she suffered minor physical injuries from the attack, but really, she was about to suffer from a lifetime of painful memories.

Through further investigation, they identified Mystikal as the alleged perpetrator. The victim told investigators that she believed there was meth in the home and came across it while she was searching for money. 

She said Mystikal was experiencing mood swings before he forcibly raped her on a bed. He let her go after he was done assaulting her and allegedly sent himself money using her phone.

Registered Sex Offender

This is not the first instance where Mystikal has been held legally responsible for his deviant behavior. The rapper, who received several Grammy nominations in the early 2000s, is a registered sex offender. He faced sexual assault allegations by his hairstylist in 2003 and spent the next six years in prison.

His career began to take off in the 1990s, garnering national attention, specifically for his 2000 hit “Shake Ya A(asterisk)(asterisk),” which earned him a Grammy nomination for best rap solo performance.

He pleaded guilty to sexual battery in the 2003 case, the same year he received two Grammy nominations for best rap album for “Tarantula” and best male rap solo performance for “Bouncin’ Back (Bumpin’ Me Against The Wall).”

After finishing out his six-year sentence and being released in 2010, he had a clean streak until 2017, when he was charged with another rape and kidnapping. He spent 18 months in jail before he was released on a $3 million bond.

Need Help?

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, help is available. You are not alone, and you did nothing to deserve this. Confidential, free support is available 24/7.

Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat online via the RAINN Online Hotline to be instantly connected with a trained professional.