Who Is Kenneth Petty, and What Crimes Has He Committed?
Kenneth Petty, best known as the husband of rap superstar Nicki Minaj, has a life story that’s as turbulent as it is shadowed by legal troubles. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Petty rekindled a teenage romance with Minaj in 2018, leading to their marriage a year later and the birth of their son in 2020. Yet his past looms large: a registered sex offender, Petty’s criminal record includes convictions for attempted rape and manslaughter, raising questions about redemption amid celebrity scrutiny.
The 1995 conviction
The criminal record Kenneth Petty’s legal woes began early. At 16, he was charged with first-degree attempted rape after assaulting Jennifer Hough, also 16, with a knife in Queens. Petty pleaded guilty in 1995, serving four years in prison and required to register as a sex offender upon release—a status that would haunt him for decades.
Years later, in 2002, Kenneth Petty faced graver charges. He shot and killed Lamont Robinson in a Queens altercation, initially accused of second-degree murder. Pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter in 2006, Petty received a 10-year sentence, ultimately serving seven before parole, marking a violent chapter in his record.
Recent troubles compounded Kenneth Petty’s past. In 2020, he failed to register as a sex offender after moving to California with Nicki Minaj, leading to a 2021 guilty plea. Sentenced to probation and home detention in 2022, it spotlighted ongoing scrutiny over his compliance and history.
The harassment lawsuit
The harassment lawsuit
Kenneth Petty faced fresh legal scrutiny in August 2021 when Jennifer Hough, the victim from his 1995 attempted rape conviction, filed a civil lawsuit against him and Nicki Minaj. Hough alleged that the couple harassed and intimidated her to recant her story, including unsolicited visits and financial bribes1. This stemmed from Petty’s past crime resurfacing amid his celebrity marriage.
According to the suit, associates of Kenneth Petty reportedly offered Hough $20,000 to sign a statement retracting her accusations, while Minaj allegedly called her directly to pressure her1. Hough claimed emotional distress and fear for her safety, painting a picture of ongoing trauma from the original assault compounded by these tactics.
The case against Minaj was dropped in January 2022, with her team seeking legal fees, but proceedings against Kenneth Petty continued1. This lawsuit highlighted the lingering impact of Petty’s criminal history on victims, even as he navigated probation and family life in the public eye.
More legal woes
Kenneth Petty’s troubles escalated in September 2023 when he violated probation by posting threatening videos aimed at rapper Offset, including menacing remarks about violence and funerals. A California judge sentenced him to 120 days of house arrest, tied to his prior sex offender registration failure, underscoring persistent compliance issues in his criminal history [1].
In 2024, resurfaced footage from Kenneth Petty’s 1994 police interrogation showed him denying the assault on Jennifer Hough, contradicting prosecution evidence that led to his guilty plea. Hough’s legal team incorporated this into her civil suit, emphasizing the enduring psychological scars and the assault’s brutal details, including injuries documented in medical reports [1].
As of late 2025, the harassment lawsuit against Kenneth Petty remains unresolved, stuck in court-ordered mediation since 2022. Victim Jennifer Hough continues to report severe trauma, isolation, and safety fears, with her attorneys presenting original trial evidence like photos and transcripts to bolster claims of ongoing intimidation [1].
Pardon speculations
Entering 2026, Kenneth Petty’s civil harassment case drags on, with his legal team set to submit an expert report by January 30 amid stalled mediation. Jennifer Hough’s ongoing testimony highlights her persistent trauma, including panic attacks and relocation for safety, as courts weigh evidence of alleged intimidation tactics from years prior[1].
Recent buzz links Kenneth Petty to political maneuvers, with observers speculating that Nicki Minaj’s vocal support for President Trump aims at securing a pardon for his past convictions. This theory gained traction in late 2025, tying into similar clemency for rappers like Lil Wayne, though no official requests have surfaced[2].
Despite these shadows, Kenneth Petty maintains a low profile, focusing on family life while under probation. Victims’ advocates emphasize the human cost, urging accountability over celebrity influence, as Hough’s plight underscores the long-term scars of assault and the challenges of seeking justice against high-profile figures[3].
Security guard assault
Kenneth Petty’s history of violence resurfaced in a 2019 incident at a Nicki Minaj concert in Germany where he allegedly punched security guard Thomas Weidenmuller breaking his jaw and necessitating multiple surgeries The attack followed a backstage dispute involving Minaj highlighting Petty’s temper amid his criminal past[[1]](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nicki-minaj-20-million-mansion-security-guard-trial-1235503164) In 2022 Weidenmuller sued Kenneth Petty and Minaj for the assault seeking damages for medical bills and suffering With no response from the couple a judge issued a default judgment of over $500000 holding them jointly liable and underscoring Petty’s pattern of evading accountability[[1]](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nicki-minaj-20-million-mansion-security-guard-trial-1235503164) By January 2026 enforcement efforts nearly forced the sale of their $20 million mansion but Minaj paid the judgment at the last minute This resolution spared assets yet emphasized the ongoing fallout from Kenneth Petty’s actions affecting victims and his family’s stability[[1]](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nicki-minaj-20-million-mansion-security-guard-trial-1235503164)
Civil trial updates
As January 2026 unfolds, Kenneth Petty’s civil harassment lawsuit from Jennifer Hough presses forward, with a trial date reportedly set for March after stalled mediation. His team must submit an expert report by January 30, potentially analyzing psychological impacts, as courts prepare to revisit the 1995 assault‘s lingering shadows[[1]](https://x.com/i/status/2015307493686084094).
Recent leaks have intensified scrutiny, including photos of the machete Kenneth Petty allegedly used in the 1994 attack on Hough, resurfacing online and bolstering her claims of trauma. These details, shared widely on social media, underscore the brutal nature of the incident and its enduring evidence[[2]](https://x.com/i/status/2007211326431735864).
Hough continues to detail her suffering in filings, citing panic attacks and relocations for safety, while advocates call for justice unbound by celebrity ties. For Kenneth Petty, this phase highlights the unyielding consequences of his crimes, even as he focuses on family amid ongoing legal battles.A lasting legacy
Kenneth Petty remains a figure defined by his crimes—from the 1995 attempted rape and 2002 manslaughter convictions to recent assaults and probation violations. As trials loom and victims like Jennifer Hough endure profound trauma, his story underscores the heavy toll of unchecked violence, even under celebrity’s glare, urging a path toward true accountability.
