ATL Rapper Cash Out Sentenced In Sex Trafficking, Rape Case: Reports

ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta-based rapper Cash Out was sentenced Monday to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of rape and racketeering last week in Fulton County, media reports say.

The mother and cousin of Cash Out, whose real name is John Michael Hakeem Gibson, were also convicted of various charges during the month-long trial.

Gibson, of "Cashin' Out" fame, was accused of overseeing a trafficking and prostitution ring in Georgia, WXIA-TV reported.

Prosecutors maintained the 34-year-old, through fear and manipulation, coerced women into prostitution and used their money to support his lifestyle, WXIA-TV reported. Prosecutors said the suspected operation involved his mother, Linda Smith, the news outlet reported.

The women were separated from their families, had to relinquish their IDs and were told not to speak to police, prosecutors said, per WXIA-TV. Victim testimony included allegations that "Gibson beat them, forced them to post sex ads and withheld money," per WXIA-TV.

"This was a reign of terror for seven years, probably more, but seven years, that's what we have on the books for the evidence," Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Earnelle Winfrey said in her closing arguments, per WXIA-TV.

The 34-year-old was convicted of violating the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated assault, pimping and keeping a place of prostitution, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Fulton County Jail records showed Gibson was arrested on Sept. 20, 2021 and originally faced a slew of charges, including aggravated assault and simple battery.

He was sentenced to two life in prison sentences plus 70 years, the AJC reported.

Gibson must also register as a sex offender, not be in contact with victims or their families and remain away from certain areas of metro Atlanta, WXIA-TV reported.

Mom Linda "Morenika Vinnie" Smith was convicted of a singular count of sex trafficking, and cousin Tyrone Taylor was convicted of rape, sexual trafficking and aggravated sodomy during the trial, the AJC reported.

Smith, who is also known as "Mama Cash Out" as shown in jail records, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, both the AJC and WXIA-TV reported. Taylor received two life sentences plus 93 years, they reported.

During sentencing, Taylor and Gibson denied the allegations against them, while Smith voiced she will pray for the victims, the AJC reported.

Gibson rose to mainstream fame with "Cashin' Out" in 2012, three years after winning a gun case, Apple Music reported.

Revered label head L.A. Reid signed Gibson to Epic Records, and "Cash Out" was No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Rap Song chart, Apple Music reported.

Gibson later joined E1 Music after departing from Epic Records, Apple Music reported. He is known for other songs, such as "She Twerkin'" and "Hold Up."

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