A lawyer representing Atlanta rapper Offset is in communication with the Sandy Springs police on behalf of the rapper who is wanted on a felony criminal destruction of property charge. Sandy Springs police confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that an arrest warrant was issued for the 27-year-old rapper, whose real name is Kiari Cephus.
The Migos rapper is wanted for smacking a cell phone out of a teenager’s hand while shopping for electronics at a Target store on Thursday, April 25.
In the video footage, the fan named Junior Gibbons can be heard saying, “What up, Offset?,” while live-streaming video for Instagram Stories. The rapper approached Gibbons and knocked the iPhone out of his hand.
Sandy Springs police say the misdemeanor charge was elevated to a felony because the broken cell phone is worth $800.
Offset took to Twitter to complain about his unfair treatment. In a now-deleted tweet, he wrote: “HARDEST THING I EVER DONE WAS BEING A BLACK MEN (TARGET) AND A RAPPER (TARGET) sh*t is crazy !!!”
Offset will likely turn himself in when he returns to Atlanta after attending the 2019 Billboard Awards with his wife, rapper Cardi B, 26, who won 7 Billboard Awards on Sunday.
Offset’s attorney, Drew Findling, told Channel 2 Action News that his client is being exploited because he’s a rich Black rap artist.
Findling said the arrest warrant is “disgraceful and should be dismissed.”
“Kiari Cephus is being exploited by the typical person looking for 15 minutes of fame and an extended payday. This incident, which took place as Mr. Cephus was simply trying to buy items for his youngest child, was not reported to police for 4 days. This so-called ‘Victim’ instead took to social media for an extended 15 minutes of fame. There has been absolutely no investigation and nothing has been shown to indicate Mr. Cephus is the cause of any damage to this person’s property. The felony warrant is disgraceful and should be dismissed immediately.”
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