Kelvin Evans, the Atlanta man who stole Beyoncé’s unreleased music from a vehicle, pled guilty on Tuesday to one count of entering an automobile and one count of criminal trespass.

Evans, 41, was sentenced to 5 years in prison with three years suspended. He reportedly described himself to police as the “King Thief of Atlanta.”

The incident happened on July 8, 2025 when Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour was scheduled to stop in Atlanta.

Evans admitted he broke into a Jeep Wagoneer parked near the Atlanta Beltline. Evans said his niece loaned him her rental car, and while driving around the city, he spotted the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer in a parking garage. The Jeep was rented by Beyoncé’s choreographer and dancer.

Evans broke into the Jeep and dragged three suitcases out of the vehicle. One of the suitcases contained hard drives loaded with Beyoncé’s unreleased music.

How police caught Beyoncé’s music thief

Police used license plate reader technology and Flock cameras to track the vehicle through the city. The license plate reader led them to Evans’ niece, who confirmed she loaned him the car.

Evans’ niece cooperated and told police he gave her an iPhone and several chargers taken from the suitcases.

A laptop that was in a suitcase had a location tracker that led investigators to Evans’ residence. Surveillance video from the complex showed him carrying suitcases that were stolen from the Jeep.

Atlanta is one of the most surveilled cities in the United States. Hundreds of Flock cameras and license plate readers in Atlanta make life difficult for criminals.

Atlanta residents protest Flock cameras’ mass surveillance

Residents expressed concerns about Flock cameras and license plate reader technology spreading across Metro Atlanta. The cameras are integrated into police department computer systems.

The mayor’s office cited statistics that show violent crime is down in Metro Atlanta since the city partnered with Flock Safety.

Criminals are moving to other cities due to the mass surveillance in Atlanta.