Lil’ Kim, born Kimberly Denise Jones, is an American rapper, songwriter, model, and actress. She first gained recognition as part of the hip hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A. in the 1990s before embarking on a successful solo career. However, Lil’ Kim is also known for her legal troubles, most notably a prison sentence she served from 2005-2006. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at Lil’ Kim’s criminal history and what ultimately led to her incarceration.
Lil’ Kim’s Early Legal Issues
Even before her high profile conviction in 2005, Lil’ Kim had a history of entanglements with the law. Some of her early brushes with the criminal justice system included:
- 1996 – Arrested for possession of marijuana in New Jersey. The charges were later dropped.
- 2000 – Arrested for marijuana possession in Philadelphia. Again the charges were dismissed.
- 2001 – Sued by choreographer Maria Davis for uncredited dance routines used in her music videos. The lawsuit was settled out of court.
While these incidents generated headlines, they were relatively minor compared to the serious federal charges she would soon face.
The Federal Perjury and Conspiracy Case
In 2001, Lil’ Kim became embroiled in a shooting outside the Hot 97 radio station in New York. Her manager, Damion “D-Roc” Butler, and bodyguard, Suif “Gutta” Jackson, were involved in a gunfight with members of the rap group Capone-N-Noreaga as part of an ongoing hip hop feud. In the aftermath, Butler and Jackson were arrested on attempted murder and weapons charges.
During the investigation, Lil’ Kim was called to testify before a federal grand jury about her knowledge of the crime. However, prosecutors believed that she lied several times during her testimony in order to protect Butler and Jackson:
Key False Statements
- She claimed not to have known Butler and Jackson were at Hot 97’s studio that night.
- She denied seeing Butler and Jackson fleeing the scene.
- She claimed a friend’s car that she used that night was not used during the shooting.
Due to these inconsistencies, Lil’ Kim was arrested in July 2003 and charged with conspiracy to commit perjury, three counts of perjury, and one count of obstruction of justice.
The High-Profile Trial
Lil’ Kim’s trial began in March 2005 and immediately became a media spectacle covered extensively in hip hop news outlets. Some key events from the month-long proceedings:
- Star Witnesses – Several high profile witnesses testified against Lil’ Kim, including her close friends Da Brat and Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil’ Cease.
- Fashion Focus – The New York Times reported that Lil’ Kim’s eye-catching couture outfits were almost as discussed as the trial itself. She attended court in designer clothes, furs, and colorful wigs.
- Guilty Verdict – On March 17th, the jury found Lil’ Kim guilty on three counts of perjury and one count of conspiracy. She was acquitted on the second perjury charge.
In July 2005, Lil’ Kim was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, in addition to a $50,000 fine.
Key Dates of Lil’ Kim’s Incarceration
- September 19, 2005 – Lil’ Kim reports to the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia to begin her sentence.
- September 26, 2006 – After serving 10 months of her sentence, Lil’ Kim is released from prison and placed on probation.
Life and Career After Prison
Lil’ Kim was still able to maintain her career during and after her incarceration. Some highlights:
- She recorded new material over the phone while in prison. Her fourth album The Naked Truth was released in September 2005, just prior to her imprisonment.
- She launched a reality show on BET in 2006 chronicling her release from prison and return to the music scene.
- Her fifth album Ms.G.O.A.T debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200 chart in 2008.
- She was featured on the 2013 hit “Get Like Me” with Nelly and Pharrell, which peaked at number 16 on the Billboard charts.
While her conviction and prison sentence damaged her reputation, Lil’ Kim remains an iconic and influential female rapper of her era. The experience has not slowed her recording output or performance schedule significantly.
Timeline of Lil’ Kim’s Crimes and Punishment
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 2001 | Lil’ Kim testifies before a federal grand jury during an investigation into a shooting involving her associates outside Hot 97 radio station. |
| July 2003 | Lil’ Kim is arrested and charged with multiple counts of perjury and obstruction of justice for lying to the federal grand jury. |
| March 17, 2005 | After a month-long trial, Lil’ Kim is convicted of conspiracy to commit perjury, three counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. |
| July 6, 2005 | Lil’ Kim is sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison and fined $50,000. |
| September 19, 2005 | Lil’ Kim reports to the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia to begin serving her prison sentence. |
| September 26, 2006 | Lil’ Kim is released from prison after serving 10 months of her sentence. She is placed on probation. |
Why was Lil’ Kim charged with perjury?
Lil’ Kim was charged with multiple counts of perjury for lying to a federal grand jury during their investigation of a 2001 shooting involving her associates. Prosecutors believed she lied in order to protect two men who worked for her that were involved in the shooting.
What were the key pieces of evidence against Lil’ Kim at trial?
Some of the most damning evidence came from witnesses close to Lil’ Kim who directly contradicted her version of events. Her friend Da Brat testified seeing Lil’ Kim speaking to her associates after the shooting. Lil’ Cease of Junior M.A.F.I.A also disputed key aspects of her testimony. Phone records and surveillance footage also contradicted her statements.
How long was Lil’ Kim actually in prison?
Lil’ Kim was initially sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison. She ended up serving about 10 months before being released on September 26, 2006 to serve the remainder of her sentence under house arrest.
Did she go to a men’s or women’s prison?
Lil’ Kim served her sentence at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. This facility houses both men and women in separate units.
Was she able to work and record music in prison?
Lil’ Kim was reportedly able to continue working on new music while incarcerated by receiving beats over the phone and recording lyrics during her limited studio time. She released her fourth album The Naked Truth shortly before going to prison.
Conclusion
In summary, Lil’ Kim’s conviction for lying to a federal grand jury was the culmination of years of increasingly serious legal troubles. While her early career was marked by minor drug charges, the perjury case stemming from a shooting involving her associates ultimately landed her behind bars. Thanks to her devoted fan base, she was able to continue recording music and even launch a reality show during her incarceration. However, the conviction seriously impacted her reputation in the hip hop community. Despite spending 10 months in federal prison, Lil’ Kim remains an influential and iconic female rapper with a successful decades-long career.