Rapper Mystikal pleads guilty to extortion and sexual battery charge

Jet, July 21, 2003

Rap star Mystikal recently pleaded guilty to charges that he forced his hairstylist to perform sex acts on him and two bodyguards.

Mystikal, whose real name is Michael Tyler, had been charged with aggravated rape, which carries a sentence of life in prison if convicted. He agreed to plead guilty to extortion and a sexual battery charge.

He was sentenced to five years probation for extortion and has a Sept. 25 sentencing date for the second charge, sexual battery of the infirmed.

Prosecutor Sue Bernie said Tyler confronted his hairdresser in his Baton Rouge, LA, apartment last summer and accused her of stealing checks from him (JET, Aug. 5, 2002). Tyler told the woman he would not tell police about the checks if she did something "degrading" for him, Bernie said.

Tyler told her to perform oral sex on him and Leland "Pokie" Ellis, 37, and Vercy "V" Carter, 35, Bernie said. The men videotaped the sex acts, which Bernie said included intercourse.

Tyler's attorney, David Bourland, said his client did not agree with all the allegations, but agreed that sexual battery took place.

"I'm glad that it's getting behind me," the rapper said after his guilty plea.

Extortion charges against Ellis and Carter were dropped as part of plea agreements. Ellis and Carter also pleaded guilty to sexual battery and will be sentenced Sept. 25.

Mystikal's hit songs include Shake It Fast and Danger (Been So Long).