Minnesota Rapper Lil Shine Faces Federal Charges for Hacking DEA to Access Codeine Prescriptions

Minnesota rapper Lil Shine, born Jasper William Johnson, is facing federal charges after being accused of hacking the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to access codeine prescriptions. The rising underground artist was charged alongside Oscar Becerra-Ruiz and Raujaun Keon Varner. According to an indictment obtained by HipHopDX, the trio allegedly orchestrated a scheme to hack into the DEA’s system and order “at least” 300 pints of promethazine with codeine.

The charges include conspiracy to acquire and obtain controlled substances by fraud, 11 counts of wire fraud, and four counts of aggravated identity theft. Between December 2022 and August 2023, the group reportedly stole information from physicians and created fake accounts with pharmaceutical wholesalers to place large orders for the drug. These orders were shipped to fake doctor’s offices across the U.S. with the intent to sell.

The value of the stolen promethazine with codeine is estimated at $750,000. However, the DEA confirmed that no patient data was compromised in the hack.

Lil Shine has denied the charges, taking to social media to maintain his innocence. On Instagram Stories, he wrote: “IM INNOCENT!” and later explained on Instagram Live that he plans to fight the charges, stating, “I’ve been given the opportunity to fight this shit and it could take anywhere from six months to a year… I just want you to know I appreciate all the love.”

He added that while it’s a serious case, he is determined to stay strong and continue making music. “I’m gonna be fighting this shit from outside the walls,” he said. Despite the legal battles, Lil Shine revealed he will be dropping a new single on Christmas Day and a project on New Year’s.