Kodak Black has reportedly pleaded guilty in his South Carolina sexual assault case after striking a plea deal with prosecutors. According to The Post & Courier,the 23-year-old rapper agreed to plead guilty to first-degree assault and battery in exchange for 18 months of probation in a court hearing on Thursday (April 28).
He was originally facing up to 30 years, but the plea agreement spared him from a longer prison sentence. Although he was given a 10-year sentence, it was suspended for the 18 months of probation.
In February 2016, Kodak Black was accused of raping a teenage girl in a Florence Comfort Inn & Suites hotel room following his performance at the Treasure City Nightclub. During the proceedings, Kodak was given the opportunity to address the victim who appeared via a virtual feed, telling her, “I apologize this happened and I’m hopeful we can all move forward.”
Kodak Black later tweeted about his experience in court and explained he only entered the plea so he could put the incident behind him.
AD LOADING...
“5 yrs later … both us just wanted to get this shit over wit AND I ain’t have to come off no money,” Kodak tweeted. “Ain’t gotta register as a sex offender or nun , shit that’s a play if you ask me lol y’all got me fucked up I ain’t dat freaky homie.”
He added, “Y’all b wanting a n-gga to go out sad homie wishing bad on a real n-gga I never seen it work. My heart goes out to all the girls out here getting raped and shit FORREAL , But I Ain’t Did That Shit.”
Kodak Black was in the middle of a 46-month sentence on federal weapons charges when he was pardoned by Donald Trump in January. But Kodak’s pardon didn’t protect him from the South Carolina case in part because presidential clemency applies to federal, not state charges.
Prosecutors claimed Kodak forced himself on the alleged victim and bit her neck and breast. The police affidavit said the woman “repeatedly told [him] to stop” during the sexual encounter and explains “her injuries were documented in a sexual assault kit that was completed by medical personnel.” The 12th Circuit solicitor in Florence County Ed Clemets said he planned to “aggressively” go after him.
AD LOADING...
Kodak Black Released From Prison With Trump Pardon — But His Sexual Assault Case Still Looms
But Kodak’s South Carolina attorney Beattie Ashmore remained confident, telling TMZ at the time, “Aggressively prosecute? It’s been four years. That speaks volumes. Kodak was on bond and on tour for two years before his federal case even began. Ed’s a very fine and experienced prosecutor and I look forward to once again speaking with him about this case. It’s been awhile.”
With Kodak’s legal woes mostly behind him, perhaps he can back to focusing on music — as long as he obeys the rules of his probation.
