Louisiana Rapper Mystikal Gets 20 Years After Pleading Guilty to Third-Degree Rape

GONZALES, La. - Louisiana rapper Mystikal, whose real name is Michael Tyler, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, following a 2022 rape that occurred at his Prairieville home in Ascension Parish.

The 2022 Assault and Original Charges

Tyler was originally arrested in 2022 after deputies responded to a hospital report of a sexual assault. The victim, who had visible injuries, identified Tyler as her attacker. She told authorities he had punched her, choked her, pulled braids from her hair, and forcibly raped her.

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Plea Agreement, Motion to Withdraw, and Sentencing

Originally charged with first-degree rape, which carries a maximum life sentence, Tyler later pleaded guilty to an amended charge of third-degree rape, capping his potential sentence at 25 years as part of a plea agreement reached in March. Days before sentencing, his attorney filed a motion to withdraw the guilty plea, arguing Tyler had not had sufficient time to fully consider the consequences of his decision. The motion was dismissed.

Victim and Defendant Address the Court

During Tuesday's sentencing hearing, the victim addressed the judge directly and requested the maximum punishment. Tyler was also allowed to speak, though he was not permitted to address the victim directly. "If I did that to you, I deserve the max sentence," he told the court. He was ultimately sentenced to 20 years, five years short of the maximum.

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Mystikal's Prior Sexual Assault Conviction in 2004

Upon release, Tyler will be required to maintain his sex offender registration. This is not his first such offense. In 2004, Tyler was arrested for sexually assaulting his hairstylist and spent six years in prison, registering as a sex offender at that time as well.

Mystikal's Music Career and Legacy

Tyler was born and raised in New Orleans' 12th Ward. He attended Cohen High School and afterward joined the United States Army.

The rapper's debut album on Big Boy Records came out in 1994. He released six studio albums in his career, anchored by his Grammy-nominated album Let's Get Ready. 

His biggest hits include "Shake Ya A**," "Danger (Been So Long)," which featured R&B singer Nivea, "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against The Wall)," and "Here I Go." Mystikal also lent his voice to some of the era's biggest collaborative tracks, most notably Ludacris's "Move B****" and Joe's "Stutter."