Rapper Fat Money Sentenced to 20 Months for LAX Firearm Possession

A US rapper, known as Fat Money, has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison after being caught with a loaded semiautomatic pistol at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during Memorial Day weekend in 2022. Tiwan Raybon, the 36-year-old rapper from Douglasville, Georgia, attempted to board a flight to Atlanta with the firearm in his carry-on luggage.

Raybon was selected for a routine luggage inspection by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), where officers found a loaded Glock 9 mm-caliber semiautomatic pistol and extra rounds of ammunition. Following the discovery, Raybon fled the scene.

The rapper had been previously convicted of multiple felonies and misdemeanor crimes related to domestic violence in Cook County, Illinois, making his possession of the firearm illegal. He was later arrested and indicted by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles. In April 2023, Raybon pleaded guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On July 26, he received his 20-month prison sentence.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) emphasized the illegality of a convicted felon possessing a firearm and noted the restrictions on carrying firearms at airport checkpoints. According to the TSA, 1,503 firearms were intercepted in the first quarter of 2024, a slight decrease from the 1,508 firearms intercepted in the same period in 2023. The TSA averages 16.5 firearm interceptions daily at its checkpoints and nearly 7,000 interceptions annually.

Fat Money, born in Chicago and raised in Harvey, Illinois, is known for his intricate wordplay and storytelling in his music. Despite his legal troubles, he has worked to reinvent himself artistically and professionally, transitioning from Ty Money to Fat Money to signify his growth. He has collaborated with SALXCO management and Empire, continuing to build his career.

The arrest and sentencing of Tiwan Raybon underscore the serious legal consequences of firearm possession violations, particularly for individuals with prior convictions. It also highlights the ongoing efforts of airport security to prevent firearms from being carried onto planes, ensuring the safety of all passengers.