In a landmark verdict from Fulton County, Atlanta rapper Ca$h Out (real name John Michael Hakeem Gibson) was sentenced on July 18 to life in prison, followed by an additional 70 years, after being convicted on charges that included rape, sex trafficking, and racketeering under RICO.
Gibson faced multiple serious charges stemming from a sprawling criminal enterprise they alleged he controlled. The prosecution accused him of leveraging his fame and label, Pyrez Music Group LLC, to lure and control vulnerable women through coercion, drugs, and threats. The operation reportedly ran for over seven years. Courts described it as nothing short of modern‑day slavery.
Jurors reviewed overwhelming evidence, including phone records, financial documents, and emotional testimonies from survivors whose lives were devastated. One juror told WSB-TV, “The state’s evidence was so compelling… we went count by count.”
Ca$h Out Case: Charges & Sentence Breakdown
| Charge | Sentence | Notes |
| RICO (Count 1) | 20 years | Consecutive |
| Rape (Count 10) | Life | Consecutive |
| Aggravated sodomy (Count 12) | Life | Concurrent with Count 10 |
| Sex trafficking (Counts 22 & 23) | 20 years each | Consecutive |
| Firearm possession (Count 25) | 5 years | Consecutive |
| Pimping/pandering/prostitution (Counts 26–29) | 12 months each | Concurrent |
| Battery & obstruction (Counts 24, 29, etc.) | 12 months each | Concurrent |
| Inmate contraband (Count 45) | 5 years | Consecutive |
Totals: Life + 70 years, with overlapping sentences for rape and sodomy.
Ca$h Out Case: Co-Defendants Also Sentenced
Gibson wasn’t alone in his convictions. Two family members—Linda Smith (known as “Mama Ca$h”) and Tyrone Taylor—were also found guilty:
- Linda Smith (Mama Ca$h) – 30 years (20 years RICO + 10 years sex trafficking)
- Tyrone Taylor – Life + 60+ years for rape, sodomy, trafficking, assault, false imprisonment, drug possession
All three must register as sex offenders and are barred from contacting any victims or returning to addresses linked to crimes, a policy Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis emphasized “sends a clear message” that no one is above the law.
Victim statements at sentencing illustrated deep trauma, feelings of fear, shame, and loss. One survivor said, “For the rest of my life, I will fear that he will kill me,” describing the coercion as “disgusting” and harrowing.
Judge Melynee Leftridge called the defendants’ actions “diabolical,” warning the court that “the very worst of human behavior” had been proven.
Ca$h Out From Stardom to Infamy
Once hailed for 2011’s platinum-hit “Cashin’ Out”, which topped Billboard’s Rap chart, Gibson’s rap career began promisingly under Epic Records and L.A. Reid. He released tracks like “She Twerkin” in 2014 and joined E1 Music for subsequent projects before disappearing from the music scene in the face of mounting legal woes.
His star faded completely when, in June 2023, DA Fani Willis launched a 41-count indictment. Allegations included trafficking, rape, sodomy, and firearm offenses, all carried out with the aid of his label entity.
Defendant’s Denials
Gibson, his mother, and cousin continue to profess innocence. Gibson claimed the jury was misled and that witnesses were “bullied” into testimony. His lawyer, Careton Matthews, accused prosecutors of overcharging and urged the court to avoid a “trial penalty.”
Despite these assertions, both jurors and the judge concluded that the prosecution had made a thorough, compelling case, citing detailed evidence of systemic abuse and deception.
Ca$h Out Case Reactions & Wider Context
This case follows in the wake of similar high-profile RICO prosecutions in Atlanta, including Young Thug and YFN Lucci, underlining Fulton DA’s aggressive stance on illegal organizations operating under entertainment banners.
Analysts suggest the verdict sends a clear signal to the music industry—celebrities who exploit fans for profit can and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.
What began as chart success has ended in lifelong imprisonment. Ca$h Out’s fall from fame, and the resulting justice, offer a sober reminder that celebrity cannot mask criminality. As DA Willis noted, the verdict “delivers justice to survivors” and reinforces that wrongdoing, even amid fame, carries severe consequences.
What You Need to Know About Ca$h Out Case
- Ca$h Out received life + 70 years for rape, sex trafficking, RICO
- Mother and cousin also convicted: sentences range from 30 years to life
- Victims’ testimonies and digital evidence formed a compelling case
- All defendants must register as sex offenders and avoid contact with victims
- Case underscores a growing trend of prosecuting music-based criminal enterprises in Atlanta under RICO
If you or someone you know has been affected by trafficking or sexual violence, resources are available. You are not alone.