The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
The Atlanta rap artist “Silentó” was jailed and charged after allegedly driving more than double the posted speed limit on the Interstate.
22-year-old Richard Lamar “Ricky” Hawk is a rapper and singer who goes by the professional names “Silentó” and “Prince Silento.”
Hawk’s 2015 hit song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” was number 3 on the 2015 Billboard US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. This summer, the video, which features the popular dances named in the title, hit over 1.7 billion views on YouTube.
On October 23, Hawk was reportedly driving an SUV on Interstate 85 in Georgia after appearing at a club to promote his new song called “DBX Money.”
A police officer saw Hawk’s SUV as it reportedly drove around vehicles that were traveling at a slower speed on the road. Hawk was also allegedly speeding and driving in a manner deemed unsafe by the officer.
The officer performed a traffic stop, and Hawk pulled to the side of the road.
When Hawk was asked why he was allegedly going 143 MPH in the BMW X3 in the 65 MPH zone, the man reportedly offered what he believed was a legitimate reason.
Hawk reportedly explained that he is famous, and when leaving the performance he had several fans chasing his vehicle and had to dodge them. He allegedly said that he cannot follow the rules of the road because “people be following me everywhere I go,” and that he wasn’t doing anything wrong.
Hawk was taken into custody, and he is facing charges for suspicion of exceeding the speed limit, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, and improper stopping.
He was booked into the DeKalb County Jail.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a driving offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.