Dancehall artist Rygin King, born Mathew Smith, appeared in the Queens Criminal Supreme Court on Friday, July 12, in New York City.
According to court documents obtained by World Music Views on Friday, Smith’s bail was set at $5,000 in cash or insurance, which he posted after pleading not guilty to the five charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 1 at 9:00 AM in room E 422 of the Supreme Court.
In the early hours of July 8, around 4:30 a.m., Rygin King, Who gained fame in the dancehall world with his breakout single “Tuff” in 2018, was arrested in Queens as part of the city’s “One Less Gun” campaign. He was found in the front passenger seat of a vehicle at the corner of 179th Street and 114th Road with a loaded handgun in his possession according to police. An NYPD spokesperson confirmed with WMV that Rygin King faces five charges related to criminal possession of a weapon and ammunition, including unlawful possession of a clip, along with three additional charges.
This high-profile arrest underscores the ongoing efforts by the NYPD to reduce gun violence in New York City. The “One Less Gun” campaign aims to remove illegal firearms from the streets, with Rygin King’s arrest highlighting the initiative’s significance. As the legal proceedings continue, Rygin King’s supporters and the dancehall community will be closely monitoring the developments in his case.
World Music Views reported yesterday that Rygin King was not alone during the arrest. Five other individuals in the vehicle were also apprehended and face similar charges according to NYPD reports:
- Ileene Parker-Smith, 41: Second-row passenger seat.
- Kemor Palmer, 30: Right passenger seat.
- Verol Tate, 30: Middle passenger seat.
- Rashaun Luton, 27: Third-row passenger seat.
The driver, Jovaughn Brown, 23, faces multiple charges including criminal possession of a weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle, false personation, and two traffic violations (driving without a license and improper signaling). The vehicle involved was identified as a 2024 Ford Explorer.
This arrest is part of the NYPD’s ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence in New York City. The “One Less Gun” campaign focuses on removing illegal firearms from the streets.
World Music Views will continue to monitor and report on these developing stories.
