Mystikal sought by police on rape charge

An arrest warrant has been issued in connection to an alleged sexual assault from October 2016

Shreveport police have issued an arrest warrant for rapper Mystikal (real name Michael Tyler), in connection with an alleged sexual assault incident from October 2016.

KSLA reports that the warrant charges both the 46-year-old musician and a 26-year-old woman named Averweone Holman with first-degree rape; Holman was arrested in Killeen, Texas on Friday, but police are still searching for Tyler.

Police have stated the incident occurred on 22 October of last year, in the downtown area of the Louisiana city, the same night Tyler's Legends of Southern Hip-Hop Tour took place in Shreveport; investigators have reportedly collected evidence at the scene that links to both Tyler and Holman.

Additionally, a 42-year-old woman named Tenichia Wafford is being sought in connection with the case, allegedly attempting to convince the victim to drop charges against Tyler and Holman. She now faces charges of accessory after the fact to first-degree rape.

Tyler previously pleaded guilty to sexual battery and extortion charges in 2003; as part of his plea bargain, he was sentenced to six years in prison. He was released in 2010, but faced five-years probation and was required to register as a sex offender in the state of Louisana.

Mystikal had been scheduled to perform at Little Rock, Arkansas' Robinson Performance Hall on 25 August, but he has since been replaced with a "special guest". The rapper is known for his top 20 singles "Shake Ya Ass/Shake It Fast" and "Danger (Been So Long)", both released in 2000.

A spokesperson for Mystikal has been contacted for comment.