Lil Kim

Lil' Kim
Born:	July 11, 1974 Brooklyn, New York
Charges:	Conspiracy, Perjury
Sentence:	1 year 1 day
Facility:	FPC Alderson
Status:	Released

Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974), known professionally as Lil' Kim, is an American rapper, songwriter, and actress who served approximately 10 months in federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy and perjury for lying to a grand jury investigating a 2001 shooting outside a New York radio station. Lil' Kim, who rose to fame as a protégée of The Notorious B.I.G. and a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A., served her sentence at Federal Prison Camp Alderson in West Virginia and was released in 2006.

Summary

Lil' Kim became one of the most successful female rappers of the 1990s and 2000s, known for her provocative lyrics, fashion influence, and collaborations with major artists. Her legal troubles arose from a February 2001 shooting outside Hot 97 radio station in Manhattan, during which members of her entourage exchanged gunfire with associates of rival rapper Capone-N-Noreaga. When questioned by a grand jury, Lil' Kim denied that her manager and another associate were present at the scene, despite surveillance video evidence proving otherwise.

Her prosecution demonstrated that lying to protect others from prosecution constitutes a serious federal offense, regardless of the defendant's celebrity status or the underlying crime being investigated.

Background

Jones was born on July 11, 1974, in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. She had a troubled childhood, and after her parents' divorce, she spent time homeless as a teenager. She began rapping in her teens and caught the attention of Christopher Wallace, known as The Notorious B.I.G., who became her mentor and romantic partner.

As part of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A., Lil' Kim appeared on the 1995 album "Conspiracy." Her debut solo album "Hard Core" (1996) was a commercial success, eventually selling over 5 million copies. She became known for her explicit lyrics and bold fashion choices, influencing a generation of female rappers. Her subsequent albums maintained her commercial success and critical recognition.

Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing

The Radio Station Shooting

On February 25, 2001, a shooting occurred outside Hot 97 radio station in Manhattan. Members of Lil' Kim's entourage exchanged gunfire with associates of the rap duo Capone-N-Noreaga in a dispute stemming from an ongoing feud. One person was injured in the shooting. Police investigated the incident, and prosecutors sought testimony from Lil' Kim before a federal grand jury.

Perjury and Conspiracy

When Lil' Kim testified before the grand jury in 2003, she denied that her manager, Damion Butler, and another associate, Suif Jackson, were present at the shooting. Surveillance video from the scene clearly showed both men, and both had already been identified by other witnesses. Prosecutors charged that Lil' Kim deliberately lied to protect Butler and Jackson from prosecution and conspired with them to obstruct justice.

Trial and Conviction

Lil' Kim was indicted on charges of conspiracy and three counts of perjury. Her trial took place in March 2005 in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. On March 17, 2005, the jury convicted her on one count of conspiracy and three counts of perjury. Butler and Jackson were also convicted on weapons and assault charges related to the shooting.

Sentencing

On July 6, 2005, U.S. District Judge Gerard Lynch sentenced Lil' Kim to one year and one day in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence of one year and one day rather than exactly one year made Lil' Kim eligible for good time credit, which could reduce her actual time served. Judge Lynch noted that while the underlying shooting was serious, Lil' Kim's crime was obstruction of justice through lying. She was also fined $50,000.

Prison Experience

Lil' Kim reported to Federal Prison Camp Alderson in Alderson, West Virginia, on September 19, 2005. The minimum-security facility, sometimes called "Camp Cupcake," has housed several celebrity inmates. During her incarceration, Lil' Kim reportedly participated in programs and maintained good behavior. She was released on July 3, 2006, after serving approximately 10 months with good time credit, and spent the remainder of her sentence on home confinement and supervised release.

Post-Release Career

Following her release, Lil' Kim resumed her music career, releasing new material and performing. She has continued to be a influential figure in hip-hop culture, receiving recognition for her impact on fashion and female rap. While her commercial success has not matched her 1990s peak, she maintains a devoted fan base and continues to perform and record.

Public Statements and Positions

At her sentencing, Lil' Kim addressed the court, stating that she was "truly sorry" and that she had "learned a valuable lesson." Her attorneys argued that she had lied out of misguided loyalty to friends rather than to protect herself. Judge Lynch acknowledged this but noted that lying to a grand jury is a serious offense that undermines the justice system.

Since her release, Lil' Kim has not extensively discussed her prison experience in public. She has focused on her career and maintained that she paid the price for her mistakes.

Terminology

• Perjury: The crime of lying under oath, including false testimony before a grand jury or court.

• Conspiracy: An agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime, which is itself a separate criminal offense.

• Grand Jury: A panel of citizens that reviews evidence presented by prosecutors to determine whether criminal charges should be filed.

See also

• FPC Alderson
• Prison Consultants
• Federal Good Time Credit Policies