Maryland fans of rapper-singer Ty Dolla $ign, whose given name is Tyrone William Griffin Jr., may be concerned to learn that he was indicted on drug charges in early December. The charges were handed down three months after his arrest in Fulton County, Georgia, in early September.
According to media reports, Griffin was on his way to perform a concert in Atlanta when law enforcement officers stopped his van. In a body cam video posted online, officers are seen ordering the rapper and five other men from the van. One of those present was DJ and musician Skrillex. Officers patted down the men and then started searching the van with the help of drug dogs. Eventually, Griffin’s backpack was searched, and officers allegedly found a small pouch containing cocaine inside. The officer wearing the body cam also claimed he could smell marijuana and asked if any of the men had been smoking it. Griffin can be heard saying that he’d smoked earlier in the day.
Griffin was led from the scene in handcuffs, but he was later released without charges. However, the indictment charges him with felony possession of THC, felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of less than an ounce of cannabis. If convicted on all charges, he could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. Skrillex and the other four men were not charged. Griffin has not yet made any public comments regarding his arrest or indictment.
Drug charges can lead to serious consequences for those who are convicted. Typical sentences include years in prison and expensive fines. However, by working with a criminal defense attorney, defendants may be able to avoid conviction or get the charges reduced.
Source: Pop Culture, “Rapper/Singer Ty Dolla $ign Indicted on Cocaine Possession Charges,” Michael Hein, Dec. 10, 2018