Houston rapper Lee Carter, known as Viper, found himself in legal trouble in early January 2024 when he was arrested for aggravated kidnapping. The arrest followed an incident where a woman escaped from the garage of his home after months of alleged captivity. Viper was released on bond and promptly took to social media to proclaim his innocence and share his plans for exoneration.
The charges stemmed from a disturbing incident that unfolded in April 2023 when an unnamed woman gained access to Carter’s computer and contacted the police, claiming she was being held against her will in his home. Authorities discovered a malnourished woman, reportedly held captive for five years, living in deplorable conditions. She accused Carter of physical and sexual abuse, as well as coercing her to take drugs during her captivity.
Neighbors suggested to the police that Carter might own other homes where abducted women were kept, and that two other women might be living in the same residence where the abused woman was found. The victim had been to the hospital before but did not report her abduction, returning to Carter after her release.
Carter’s attorney, George Powell, asserted that the relationship between Carter and the woman was consensual, adding that his client planned to plead not guilty at the next court appearance. Powell emphasized that there was evidence to demonstrate a long-term consensual relationship between the two.
The woman accusing Carter of kidnapping was reported to have a three-year-old child with the rapper, though details about the child’s whereabouts remained unclear during Carter’s arrest.
Upon being released on bond, Viper took to social media to vehemently deny the allegations, asserting his innocence and expressing confidence that the evidence would exonerate him. Viper, known for his music, including the popular song “You’ll Cowards Don’t Even Smoke Crack,” has a significant online presence, with millions of streams on platforms like Spotify.
The police had not arrested Viper immediately after the woman contacted them in April 2023 because he could not be located at the time. Viper was expected to appear in court again in February 2024 to address the charges against him.
