Dancehall producer Papi Don, born Donte Johnson, has been released from federal prison after serving a 16-month sentence for his involvement in an advance-fee fraud scheme that targeted 19 elderly victims across the United States.
The 29-year-old producer, known for hits like TeeJay’s Up Top and Shaneil Muir’s Yamabella, pleaded guilty to mail fraud charges in May 2023. He had been arrested in 2021.
Prosecutors said Johnson participated in a scheme that deceived victims into believing they had won substantial prizes through the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes. Victims were convinced to send “fees” to bank accounts controlled by Johnson, resulting in losses totaling $450,610.84. Johnson personally kept approximately $60,000 of the fraudulent proceeds before authorities seized $17,191 during his arrest.
Although federal sentencing guidelines recommended a prison term of 33 to 41 months, Johnson received a reduced 21-month sentence after accepting responsibility for his actions and cooperating with investigators. His attorney described his involvement in the scheme as a desperate decision during a period of financial hardship.
“During a particularly rough period, Donte made the worst decision of his life to get involved in the instant conduct which will haunt him forever,” his attorney wrote in court filings, according to a report published by Dancehall Mag. “Donte will be a convicted felon, which will have dire consequences in the U.S., including likely deportation, separation from his family, and exposure to the pervasive violence in Jamaica.”
The attorney also noted Johnson’s attempts to assist law enforcement, saying, “In an attempt to right the wrong he committed, Donte provided a truthful proffer to law enforcement, but unfortunately due to forces beyond his control and those of the government, his proffered information was not actionable and therefore did not rise to the level of substantial assistance.”
Johnson served his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Miami and was released in September 2024. He is now on supervised release for three years under conditions that include financial monitoring and restitution payments to the victims.
Court documents highlighted the devastating impact of the fraud on the victims, many of whom depleted retirement savings or faced bankruptcy. Letters submitted on Johnson’s behalf during his sentencing described him as a devoted father and a positive influence in the music industry.
Despite his legal troubles, Johnson’s label, Papi Don Muziq, remains a notable name in Dancehall, although court records suggest that his musical success did not always lead to financial stability. His attorney expressed hope that Johnson’s release would mark the beginning of his efforts to rebuild his life and atone for his actions.
