Summary

  • Rapper ‘Fat Money’ sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for attempting to board a flight with a loaded gun.
  • TSA found a loaded Glock 9 mm pistol in Raybon’s carry-on baggage, leading to the arrest and a guilty plea.
  • FBI emphasizes it is unlawful for convicted felons to possess firearms, with TSA intercepting over 1,500 firearms annually.

A US rapper has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison after attempting to board a flight over Memorial Day weekend in 2022 with a loaded semiautomatic pistol. Tiwan Raybon, also known as ‘Fat Money,’ is a 36-year-old from Douglasville, Georgia, who pleaded guilty to a single count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Raybon had arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in 2022 to board a direct flight to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) when he was selected for a routine luggage inspection by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Inside his carry-on baggage, the security official found a loaded Glock 9 mm-caliber semiautomatic pistol, accompanied by several extra rounds of ammunition. After finding the gun, Raybon then fled.

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Previously convicted

Raybon was in illegal possession of the pistol as he had been previously convicted of several felonies and misdemeanor crimes relating to domestic violence in Cook County, Illinois. The rapper was later found arrested and indicted by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles.

Fast forward to April this year, and Taiwan Raybon pleaded guilty to one federal county of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and then on Friday, July 26, was sentenced to one year and eight months (20 months) in federal prison. The FBI released this statement:

β€œIt is unlawful for a person convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to ship, transport, receive, or possess a firearm or ammunition. In addition, firearms are not permitted at checkpoints or in the secure area of airports, including in carry-on luggage or onboard aircraft.”

Delta Air Lines Boeing 777 Departing From Los Angeles

The TSA intercepted 1,503 firearms in the first quarter of 2024 – almost identical to the first quarter of 2023, when 1,508 firearms were intercepted. This represents a slight decline in the rate of weapons detected per million passengers, as passenger numbers are up 7.8% in 2024. On average, the TSA says it intercepts 16.5 firearms daily at its checkpoints. In all, the TSA intercepted almost 7,000 firearms at its checkpoints in 2023

Who is Fat Money?

According to Audible Treats, ‘Fat Money’ is a lyrical rapper with dense thickets of wordplay aligned to depict scenes and tell stories. The rapper has focussed on reinventing himself since the mid-2010s. Born in Chicago, he grew up in his hometown of Harvey, Illinois.

After multiple years of prison stints and staunch independence, he worked with SALXCO management and then Empire. Initially named Ty Money, he renamed himself Fat Money, which signified Money growing into himself both personally, professionally, and artistically.

Related

Number Of Guns Found At Philadelphia International Airport Last Year Sets New Record

More than three-quarters of the weapons found were loaded.


  • Airfield - LAWA Brosseau - 4

    Los Angeles International Airport

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    LAX/KLAX

    Country:
    United States

    CEO:
    Justin Erbacci

    Passenger Count :
    48,007,284 (2021)

    Runways :
    6L/24R – 2,721m (8,926 ft) |
    6R/24L – 3,318m (10,885 ft) |
    7L/25R – 3,939m (12,923 ft) |
    7R/25L – 3,382m (11,095 ft)

    Terminals:
    Terminal 1 |
    Terminal 2 |
    Terminal 3 |
    Tom Bradley International Terminal | Terminal 4 |
    Terminal 5 |
    Terminal 6 |
    Terminal 7 |
    Terminal 8

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