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Written by: A. Smith
Published August 13, 2025 @ 9:05 AM ET
Update: Rapper Ca$h Out has been sentenced to life in prison plus 70 years after being convicted in a Georgia rape and racketeering case, according to attorneys.
The Atlanta rapper, whose real name is John Michael Gibson, was found guilty July 18 of rape, aggravated sodomy, and violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act for leading a prostitution operation, according to a spokesperson for the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Gibson also was convicted of two counts of trafficking a person, pimping, pandering, keeping a place of prostitution, battery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and other crimes. He was acquitted of felony aggravated assault, according to his attorney, Careton R. Matthews.
Matthews argued during trial that the state failed to prove its case and called some charges “overblown.” He said testimony from accusers showed they voluntarily reconnected with Gibson and contradicted themselves.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Melynee Leftridge said before sentencing that the evidence revealed “the very worst of human behavior toward other human beings,” according to WXIA-TV. She told the court prosecutors proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants engaged in “diabolical conduct” and said the sentence reflected the seriousness of the crimes.
Gibson’s mother, Linda Smith, was sentenced to 30 years after being found guilty of sex trafficking. His co-defendant, Tyrone Taylor, received the same sentence as Gibson.
Matthews said Gibson maintains his innocence on many of the charges and may appeal.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – Atlanta rapper Ca$h Out, whose real name is John Michael Gibson, is scheduled to be sentenced Monday in Fulton County after being convicted on multiple charges tied to a sex trafficking operation involving his mother and cousin.
Gibson was found guilty last week following a seven-week trial that included testimony from victims and law enforcement. Jurors convicted him of rape, pimping, aggravated sodomy, two counts of sex trafficking, and racketeering under Georgia’s RICO statute. He was acquitted on several other charges, including an additional sex trafficking count, aggravated assault, sexual servitude, and maintaining a place of prostitution.
Gibson’s mother, Linda Smith — also known as “Mama Ca$h” — was found guilty of one count of sex trafficking. His cousin, Tyrone Taylor, was convicted on all but one charge, including rape and aggravated sodomy. He was acquitted of a single pimping charge.
Prosecutors said the trio used their independent record label, Pyrez Music Group LLC, as a front to recruit and exploit women. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said Gibson used his celebrity status and social media following to lure victims into the trafficking ring. The crimes reportedly occurred at a hotel near Fulton Industrial Boulevard and a home in the Carroll Heights neighborhood.
Gibson rose to fame in the early 2010s with his debut single “Cashin’ Out,” which peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. He later released “She Twerkin’” in 2014 as part of his debut album, Let’s Get It. His music career began shortly after he was acquitted in a 2009 firearm case in Clayton County.
Sentencing for all three defendants is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Monday in Fulton County Superior Court.