The underground hip-hop scene was rocked recently when Minnesota rapper, Lil Shine, found himself embroiled in a federal scandal.
Lil Shine, whose real name is Jasper William Johnson, stands accused of hacking into the DEA’s system in a brazen move to access codeine prescriptions. He’s not alone in this; Oscar Becerra-Ruiz and Raujaun Keon Varner have also been indicted, as confirmed by court documents.
From December 2022 through August 2023, the trio allegedly hacked into the DEA’s system, targeting practitioners and physicians. Their aim was to set up fake accounts with pharmaceutical wholesalers, manage to order at least 300 pints of promethazine with codeine, and have them shipped to fictitious doctors’ offices nationwide. The alleged haul’s street value? A cool $750,000.
The DEA has reassured the public that, thankfully, no patient data was breached during this elaborate plan. However, the charges are severe. Lil Shine and his alleged accomplices face conspiracy to acquire controlled substances by fraud, 11 counts of wire fraud, and four counts of aggravated identity theft.
Meanwhile, Lil Shine has taken to social media to declare his innocence. On Instagram, he claimed, “IM INNOCENT!” and elaborated during an Instagram Live session on his situation, stating that while the process could take anywhere from six months to a year, he’s not letting it hold him back from his music. “I’m free, though,” he explained, reflecting on the gravity of federal charges compared to state cases.
He appreciated the support he’s received from fans and acknowledged the challenges ahead, mentioning that he’s thankful for his legal opportunities. “Without God,” he noted, “I’d be having to fight this from inside.” Despite the uncertainty, Lil Shine remains determined to continue releasing new music, hinting at a single on Christmas Day and a tape dropping around New Year.
Lil Shine’s current legal woes place him in the center of a dramatic courtroom saga, one that sees him resisting federal charges while maintaining his artistic output.
