Rapper Bryan "Baby" Williams, aka Birdman, and Ronald "Godfather" Williams, founders of Cash Money Records, were among 16 arrested on Interstate 81 after a Kingsport police corporal stopped the driver of an RV rented from Entertainment Coaches of America in Leesburg, Fla. after he made an improper lane change, running a tractor trailer out of the road.
KPD Corporal Tim Horne said he conducted a traffic stop on the driver, Keith Boswell, 38, of Daytona Beach, Fla., after witnessing Boswell force the tractor trailer into the emergency lane to avoid being struck as he attempted a lane change. Boswell told Horne they were headed from New Orleans to New York for a BET shoot.
Horne said he could smell marijuana from inside the RV and located about a pound of marijuana in a trashcan in the RV's kitchenette after obtaining consent to search the vehicle.
Bryan Williams, 38, of Miami, Fla., his wife Brittany Williams, 18, of Houston, Tex. and his brother, Ronald Williams, 43, Aventura, Fla., owner of Cash Money Records, were each charged with possession of over 1/2 ounce of marijuana along with 13 others, several of whom are also affiliated with Cash Money Records and the rap music industry.
The third person off the bus, Brandon Thursten, 24, Miami, Fla., had a 9mm handgun tucked in his waistband, Horne said.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are assisting in the investigation after the discovery of a 2-23 carbine assault rifle often used by military and law enforcement, along with the handgun and a case and magazine for a .45-cal. handgun. No weapons charges have been filed at this time.
Road manager Shahid Muhammad, 40, of New Orleans, Cash Money Records promoter Casey Collins, 42, New Orleans, and music promoter Ovide Antoine, 32, Miami, Fla. are among the remaining 13 arrested during the Tuesday afternoon traffic stop that snarled traffic for over an hour on I-81 near exit 59 in the Colonial Heights area.
Remaining charged with possession of over 1/2 ounce of marijuana are: Deon Crawford, 40, Lemoore, Ca.; Troy Collins, 40, Miami, Fla; and from New Orleans, Carl Bryant, 41; George Beatty, 39; Norman Cobins, 39; Jermaine Preyan, 26; and Michael Gray, 41.
"They're all somehow employed as either a rapper or with the company Cash Money Records," Horne said.
Police said several occupants were carrying about $1,000 cash and some had as much as $5,000 on hand, but added that the money -- approximately $12,000 to $15,000 -- won't be seized unless Officer Kevin Hite and K-9 Odus detect the smell of marijuana on it.
The RV has been moved to a secure location so police can conduct a more thorough search of the RV Tuesday to determine if there are more drugs or weapons aboard, Horne said.
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