Rap Artist Sentenced for Carrying a Loaded Semiautomatic Pistol with Extended Clip in Carry-On Bag at LAX

Local Press Release

Monday, July 29, 2024

An Atlanta man and known rap artist was sentenced today to 20 months in federal prison for attempting to carry a loaded weapon in his carry-on bag as he attempted to board a flight to Atlanta.

Tiwan Raybon, 36, of Douglasville, Georgia, was sentenced this afternoon by United States District Judge André Birotte Jr. to one year and 8 months in federal prison.

Raybon, also known as "Fat Money" was indicted by a federal grand jury in United States District Court in Los Angeles on June 27, 2022, for knowingly possessing a Glock 9mm-caliber semiautomatic pistol and several rounds of ammunition-which were contained in his carry-on luggage-while attempting to board a flight from Los Angeles destined for Atlanta, Georgia. In April 2024, Raybon pleaded guilty to one federal count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

At the time of the offense, Raybon fled after officers with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) found the firearm and ammunition during a routine luggage inspection. TSA then contacted the FBI for further investigation. Raybon was in possession of the weapon illegally as he had been convicted previously of multiple felonies and a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence in Cook County, Illinois.

It 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.

The FBI's Task Force located at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) investigated this case. The FBI's Task Force at LAX is comprised of FBI Agents and detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles World Airport Police Department.

The case against Raybon was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chou with the United States Attorney's Office in Los Angeles.