5 Shocking Legal Charges Nicki Minaj's Husband Kenneth Petty Has Faced: A Timeline Of Controversy

The legal history of Kenneth Petty, the husband of superstar rapper Nicki Minaj, is extensive and controversial, drawing intense public scrutiny since the couple married. As of late 2024, Petty remains on supervised federal probation and has been involved in multiple high-profile legal battles, most recently related to his failure to comply with sex offender registration laws and an ongoing civil lawsuit tied to a 1994 attempted rape conviction. His various charges span decades, ranging from violent felonies to a recent probation violation involving a social media threat against another rapper, making his legal timeline a complex web of past convictions and current judicial mandates. The most recent and high-profile charge against Petty relates to a federal case for failing to register as a sex offender in the state of California, which resulted in a sentence of home confinement. This legal entanglement has kept the couple in the headlines and continually raises questions about the full scope of Petty's past and present legal obligations. Understanding the charges requires a detailed look at his life and the specific incidents that have shaped his legal status.

Kenneth Petty: Full Biography and Legal Profile Summary

Kenneth Petty, also known by his nickname “Zoo Bang,” has been a fixture in the news due to his relationship with one of the world's most successful female rappers, Nicki Minaj. Their relationship goes back to their teenage years in Queens, New York, but his life has been marked by significant legal troubles long before his marriage to the music icon.

• Full Name: Kenneth Petty
• Nickname: Zoo Bang
• Date of Birth: April 7, 1978
• Age (as of late 2024): 46
• Birthplace: Queens, New York, U.S.
• Spouse: Nicki Minaj (Married 2019)
• Children: One son (with Nicki Minaj)
• Occupation: Entrepreneur, Manager (formerly)
• Key Legal Status: Convicted Felon, Registered Sex Offender (Lifetime Registration), Currently on Federal Probation and Home Confinement.

The 5 Major Legal Charges and Convictions Against Kenneth Petty

Kenneth Petty's legal record is extensive, featuring several serious felony convictions that predate his relationship with Nicki Minaj. These charges are the foundation of the public controversy and his current legal obligations, particularly the requirement to register as a sex offender in any state he resides in.

1. 1994 Attempted Rape Conviction (New York)

The most consequential conviction for Petty's current legal status is the 1995 conviction for attempted rape in the first degree. The incident occurred in 1994 when Petty was 16 years old. He pleaded guilty to the charge and served approximately four years in a New York State prison. This conviction is the sole reason he is required to register as a lifetime sex offender in New York and any subsequent state of residence, including California.

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The alleged victim, Jennifer Hough, later filed a civil lawsuit against Petty and Nicki Minaj, claiming harassment and intimidation after the couple allegedly attempted to pressure her to recant her story. While Nicki Minaj was dismissed from the lawsuit in 2022, the civil case against Petty for punitive damages remains active and was still seeing developments in 2024, including the resurfacing of his 1994 interrogation footage.

2. First-Degree Manslaughter Conviction (New York)

In a separate, unrelated incident, Petty was convicted of first-degree manslaughter in 2006. This charge stemmed from a 2002 shooting that resulted in the death of Lamont Robinson. Petty served seven years of a 10-year sentence for this felony conviction, further solidifying his status as a convicted felon with a history of serious offenses.

3. Federal Charge: Failure to Register as a Sex Offender (California)

This is the charge that brought Petty's legal history back into the spotlight after he married Nicki Minaj and moved to California. Upon moving to the state in 2019, Petty failed to register his status with the California sex offender registry, a requirement under federal law due to his prior conviction. He was arrested in March 2020 after a traffic stop revealed the violation.

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Petty pleaded guilty to the federal charge in September 2021. In July 2022, he was sentenced to one year of home confinement (house arrest), three years of supervised probation, and a $55,000 fine. This federal sentencing was a major development, confirming the serious nature of the non-compliance.

4. Probation Violation: Threatening Rapper Offset (Social Media)

Even while serving his sentence for the registration failure, Petty faced further legal trouble. He was ordered to serve additional home detention time—up to 120 days—for violating the terms of his supervised release. The violation occurred when Petty was recorded on video making threatening remarks toward rapper Offset, who is the husband of fellow rapper Cardi B. The court viewed this as a serious breach of his probation conditions, which typically prohibit contact with known criminals or engaging in threatening behavior, leading to an extension of his house arrest.

5. Civil Lawsuit for Harassment and Intimidation (Ongoing)

While not a criminal charge brought by the state, the civil lawsuit filed by Jennifer Hough is a significant and ongoing legal battle for Petty. The suit, which initially included Nicki Minaj, alleges that the couple attempted to bribe and intimidate Hough into recanting her 1994 attempted rape allegation. Although Minaj was dropped from the suit, Petty remains the defendant, with Hough seeking punitive damages. As of 2024, the case continues to move forward, with Petty being accused of attempting to conceal his income, suggesting the legal battle is far from over and continues to impact his financial and public life.

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The Impact of the Federal Sentencing and Current Legal Status

The federal charge of failing to register as a sex offender was the most recent criminal conviction and resulted in the most immediate consequences for Kenneth Petty. The sentencing of one year of home confinement and three years of supervised probation means that Petty's life is currently under strict judicial monitoring.

The court’s decision to impose home detention rather than a custodial sentence in a federal prison was a subject of much debate, but the conditions of his release are highly restrictive. He must adhere to a rigid schedule, seek permission for travel, and avoid any further legal infractions. The subsequent probation violation involving the threat to Offset demonstrates the narrow margin for error Petty operates under, resulting in a swift and punitive extension of his house arrest.

Furthermore, the ongoing civil lawsuit with Jennifer Hough ensures that the 1994 conviction remains a public and legal issue. The attempt to compel Petty to disclose his finances—including any income potentially earned as Nicki Minaj's manager—highlights the financial stakes of the case and the continued legal scrutiny over his past actions.

In summary, Kenneth Petty's legal profile is a complex timeline of serious felony convictions, culminating in a recent federal sentence for a technical but serious violation of sex offender registration laws. His current status is defined by supervised probation, home confinement, and an active civil liability case, all of which keep his legal troubles in the current news cycle and under intense public and judicial observation.