Woman accuses Orlando-area rapper Tyla Yaweh of sexual battery when she was 15, lawsuit says
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Rapper Tyla Yaweh, who grew up in Central Florida, is being accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old more than a decade ago, according to a recently-filed civil lawsuit in Seminole County.
The plaintiff, Alyssia Jones, now 26, alleges that the rapper, whose real name is Tyler Jamal Brown, sexually battered her while she was visiting his home in Seminole County’s Fern Park neighborhood back in February 2012.
According to the lawsuit, Brown, who was 16 at the time, invited Jones back to his house to show her his shoe collection. He then allegedly pushed Jones onto a bed and “sexually battered” her.
“During the abuse, Jones repeatedly begged Brown to stop, telling him that she did not want him to do these things,” the complaint read. When Jones attempted to yell, Brown threatened to stab her with a pen, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit says Brown allegedly stabbed Jones near her pubic area, where she said she still has a scar from the incident.
Jones is being represented by Mark NeJame and Albert Yonfa of NeJame Law, in addition to Basyle “Boz” Tchividjian of BozLaw.
A statement from the attorney’s office of NeJame Law said Jones alleges she was “a teenage virgin and maintains that her life has been traumatically impacted as a result of the violent sexual assault she endured.”
“In light of the MeToo movement and all of the many and growing number of courageous women who have spoken out about sexual abuse and misconduct, Ms. Jones, now 26, has been able to muster the courage to file her lawsuit in hopes that she can empower others who have also fallen victim to sexual assault,” the statement read.
“Ms. Jones goal in finally sharing her story is to assure other girls, adolescents, teenagers, and women, that the pain, and resulting shame, they have suffered is not their fault.”
According to court records, the plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages of more than $100,000.
NeJame was not immediately available to respond to questions. Orlando Sentinel was unable to reach Brown or his representatives.
During the rapper’s rising career, he opened for popstar Post Malone in his Runaway Tour and collaborated with rappers such as French Montana and YG. The American singer and rapper is currently signed to Epic Records.
In an interview with The Daily Free Press, a student newspaper at Boston University, Brown said he was inspired by Florida rappers like Plies and Trick Daddy Dollars. He was reportedly friends with slain rapper XXXTENTACION, who was fatally shot in 2018.
