Popular American singer and actor Tyrese Gibson has been taken into custody for failing to meet his court-ordered child support payments.
The 44-year-old, who shares a 5-year-old daughter, Soraya, with his ex-wife Samantha Lee, was arrested on Monday in Fulton County after a heated court hearing.
The legal battle, which has been ongoing since their 2020 divorce, reached a boiling point when Judge Kevin Farmer found Tyrese in contempt of court.
The judge, frustrated with Gibson’s repeated refusal to comply with a $10,000 per month child support order issued in April 2023, ordered his arrest. Tyrese was immediately handcuffed and escorted out of the courtroom.
Judge Farmer offered Tyrese a way to avoid jail time: he must pay $73,000, which includes $7,500 for Samantha’s attorney fees. Tyrese’s arrest came as no surprise to him, as he had taken to Instagram the day before to criticize his ex-wife’s actions, dismissing them as “goofy” and insisting on his innocence.
Tyrese, known for his roles in the Fast & Furious franchise, claims the dispute is simply “baby mama drama” and insists that a prenuptial agreement covered all financial matters during their divorce.
He also accused Samantha’s lawyers of treating him as a “cash cow,” arguing they should have reviewed his bank statements rather than relying on his filmography to estimate his earnings.
Although Tyrese has been making some payments—reportedly around $2,200 per month—it falls significantly short of the court’s mandated amount. His relationship with Judge Farmer has been rocky, with previous clashes dating back to a contentious court showdown in 2022.
Sources close to Tyrese say he is currently arranging to pay the required $73,000, indicating that he may not remain in custody for much longer.
