Rapper Cash Out sentenced to life in prison for running trafficking ring under RICO charges

Atlanta rapper Cash Out, whose real name is John Gibson, has been sentenced to life in prison for rape, with an additional 70 years for a string of crimes including sex trafficking and racketeering. The court ruling, delivered on 18 July, brings to a close a harrowing trial that exposed a seven-year criminal enterprise hiding in plain sight.



Cash Out rose to fame in the early 2010s with hits like "Cashin' Out" and "She Twerkin". But behind the celebrity image was a grim reality. Prosecutors say Gibson exploited his fame to lure vulnerable women into sex work. His victims were manipulated, starved, and abused, all under the guise of industry opportunities.



The rapper's mother, Linda Smith, infamously known as "Mama Ca$h Out," was also convicted and sentenced to 30 years. His cousin Tyrone Taylor received life in prison plus 70 years. Prosecutors described the trio as the core operators of a trafficking network targeting women across Atlanta. Evidence included messages from eight seized phones and disturbing testimonies from survivors.


Fulton County prosecutor Earnell Winfrey called the operation more than just pimping, it was modern-day slavery. One woman testified she was only fed if she performed sex acts. Prosecutors painted a picture of systematic abuse, with earnings collected in kitchen drawers and victims subjected to physical control and threats.



Signed to Epic Records in 2011, Cash Out seemed destined for stardom. Instead, his conviction now stands as a dark symbol of celebrity abuse. With 11 convictions including rape, aggravated sodomy, and RICO violations, Gibson’s legacy has been shattered. He must also register as a sex offender and avoid areas connected to his crimes.