Mystikal and two other men, Leland Ellis and Vercy Carter, were arrested yesterday in Louisiana and charged with rape and extortion. The rapper, whose real name is Michael Tyler, surrendered to authorities and was released on a $250,000 bond.

He is accused of attacking an acquaintance at his home on July 3rd. The woman allegedly accepted a check made out to her from the rapper's account without his permission and claims she was threatened with prosecution if she did not have sex him.

Mystikal's latest release is last year's Tarantula. He is best-known for his 2000 single "Shake Ya Ass."

CHRISTINA SARACENO
(July 19, 2002)