Ja Rule Released From Prison: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Ja Rule

Rapper Ja Rule has been released from prison in upstate New York after serving almost two years for gun possession, but he’s not out of the woods just yet. In fact, he’s still in custody.

Ja Rule, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, still has a few months to serve for a federal tax evasion conviction.

Here are some quick facts about the multi-platinum artist’s release from prison and history with the law.


1. He Was Convicted on a Gun Charge

Ja Rule Handcuffed

Ja Rule was convicted in a gun case after police stopped the rapper for speeding and found a loaded .40-caliber semiautomatic gun inside the his $250,000 car. The 36-year-old pleaded guilty in 2010 and was sentenced to prison at the Mid-State Correctional Facility in upstate New York.


2. He Also Was Charged for Tax Evasion

In July 2011, Ja Rule admitted that he failed to pay his taxes on more than $3 million in earnings between 2004 to 2006. After his release from the gun possession, Ja Rule would be serving his 28-month sentence for the tax evasion charge.


3.  He May Be Eligible for a Halfway House

Ja Rule’s lawyer told TMZ that the rapper might have less than six months to serve and could be eligible to serve his sentence at a sober house. There may be a chance for him to go back to prison unless good behavior gets the better of him.


4. Ja Rule Plans to Get Back to Work After Release

Ja Rule

After Ja Rule finishes his sentence, the rapper plans on working on his next album entitled Renaissance Project. He also has obligations to go on his tour 40 Days, 40 Nights after being released from prison.


5. Ja Rule Wants to Focus on Family

Ja Rule's Kids

Ja Rule admitted he has made mistakes in the past, but says he plans on correcting them. He told the judge, “I was a young man who made a lot of money — I’m getting a little choked up — I didn’t know how to deal with these finances, and I didn’t have people to guide me, so I made mistakes.”

Defense attorney Stacey Richman said that Ja Rule is looking forward to his daughter’s graduation after his release, the Boston Herald reported. “He’s a devoted father,” she said.