Erica Banks, the Texas rapper best known for her viral hit “Buss It,” was reportedly arrested Wednesday evening at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after security officials discovered a stolen firearm in her carry-on bag.
According to reports, Banks—whose real name is Erica Scharmane Breaux—was stopped at the North security checkpoint while attempting to board a flight to Houston. During a routine TSA screening, officials found a Smith & Wesson handgun in her Louis Vuitton purse. After running a serial number check, authorities determined the gun had been reported stolen in 2018 in Greenville, South Carolina.
The 25-year-old rapper was promptly taken into custody by airport police and booked into the Clayton County Jail around 9:50 p.m. She was charged with theft by receiving stolen property. Jail records indicate Banks was released shortly after, at 11:12 p.m.
In a video posted to social media from the backseat of a police cruiser, Banks appeared unbothered, smiling for the camera and reassuring fans with the caption: “i’m good yall thanks for checking…”
Her attorney, Jackie Patterson, spoke out following the incident, asserting that his client had no knowledge the firearm was stolen. “It is our contention that when she was caught with this weapon, she had no idea it was stolen,” the statement reads. “So she is not guilty of any offense. And once we get to court on this case my job is to make sure this never becomes a part of her criminal history and to have these charges dismissed.”
Banks, came on the scene in 2021, has since appeared on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and continued to release music while building her brand in both the rap and reality TV worlds. There is no word yet on whether this incident will affect her current projects or travel plans.
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