Houston Rapper Arrested on Allegations of Kidnapping and Holding Homeless Woman Captive for Years
In a shocking revelation, a Houston rapper, identified as Lee Carter, 52, is facing charges of felony aggravated kidnapping after allegedly holding a homeless woman captive in his garage for at least four years. The victim managed to use the suspect’s computer to contact rescuers, leading to her discovery in April.
Court records and Carter’s attorney revealed that the arrest occurred on Thursday, nearly nine months after the woman’s rescue. The circumstances surrounding the delay in apprehending the suspect remain unclear. The condition of the woman, described by prosecutors as 70 pounds and pregnant when found, remains uncertain.
Carter, who posted a $100,000 bond on Sunday, was reportedly released from the Harris County Jail on Monday, according to a sheriff’s official.
According to an affidavit from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, the woman utilized Carter’s laptop to communicate with 9-1-1, reporting her captivity. The affidavit did not provide details on how she gained access to the computer.
The discovery took place on April 7 when the Houston Fire Department responded to Carter’s Perry Street residence. Authorities found the woman in a room with appalling conditions, including a makeshift toilet, a vomit-covered mattress, and minimal food supplies.
The garage, described as a single car space without a functioning garage door and boarded-up windows, raised concerns about the living conditions endured by the victim.
The malnourished woman, weighing 70 pounds, exhibited signs of neglect, with prosecutors noting a “pungent stench,” “crusty” hair, and filthy clothing. The affidavit did not specify the woman’s age.
According to the complaint, the woman claimed she had been panhandling in Houston when Carter picked her up approximately four or five years ago, promising to help her. She was pregnant at the time of her alleged abduction.
Defense attorney George Powell disputed the charges, asserting that the woman is Carter’s domestic partner, describing their relationship as romantic. Powell claimed that they have been together for years and share a child.
The Harris County DA spokesperson declined to comment on whether the woman had given birth, citing privacy laws and the ongoing investigation.
Carter, known as the owner of Rhyme Time Records, faces serious allegations while the details of the filthy garage conditions and the victim’s purported relationship with him continue to be scrutinized. Powell stated that he lacks information about Carter’s stage name or his music career. The case is now under investigation, with the court setting Carter’s bond at $100,000.
A Houston rapper allegedly kidnapped a homeless woman and held her captive in his garage for at least four years before she managed to get access to the suspect’s computer to call rescuers, officials say. https://t.co/bBhwykistX
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 8, 2024