Tyrese Gibson Arrested After Refusing to Send Child Support to Ex, Ordered to Pay $73,500 to Avoid Jail Time: Judge

Mar. 15, 2025

Tyrese Gibsonhas been arrested after a judge found him in contempt of court in connection with a dispute about child support payment with his ex-wife, PEOPLE confirms.

According to an order issued on Monday, Sept. 9, Gibson was to “be taken into custody and incarcerated” after he was found to be “in willful contempt for failure to make child support payments,” an order from a judge in Fulton County, Georgia, states.

The judge’s decision was issued after a hearing was held because the rapper and actor’s ex-wife Samantha Lee made a motion that he be held in contempt after she claimed he was failing to make child support payments.

Gibson and Lee share 5-year-old daughter Soraya. He is also dad to daughter Shayla, 17, whom he shares with ex-wife Norma Mitchell.

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Tyrese Gibson.Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Although Gibson did not respond to a message seeking comment from PEOPLE, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, he shared a videoon his Instagram Stories, writing, “Getting arrested wasn’t easy…As a matter of fact it was very traumatic…One would ask why does this judge…and my ex Samantha…HATE ME SO MUCH?”

Tyrese Gibson.Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty

Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty

A rep for Gibson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

In a video posted to his Instagram before the hearing on Monday, Gibson shared that there was a possibility he’d be arrested the next morning in court.

Gibson said that although he was fighting with his ex in court, he has “never not taken care of my kids.”

“I am dad. And you know why I’m dad? Not because of what I bought them, not because of the clothes, not because of the square footage of the house, not because of the cars in the driveway and definitely not because of this fake jewelry I wear,” Gibson said in his video. “I’m a father because that exchange between your son or your daughter is nothing that can be purchased.”

The actor went on to say that if the judge arrested him in court the next day, “I’m just going to say, F— it. Get it over with.”

He also shared aseries of photos of his kidson Instagram, writing in the caption, “The love that a father can have for his children can’t quite be explained……. Whatever the outcome is today…… I am and will forever be their FATHER.”

Tyrese Gibson and Samantha Lee.Paras Griffin/Getty Images

In 2020, Gibson and Leereleased a joint statement, detailing that the two have decided to split after nearly four years of marriage.

“We have decided to make a statement of a painful and significant development in our lives,” the statement, shared to Tyrese’s Instagram account, began. “After much thought, consideration, and prayer, We unfortunately have made the difficult decision to officially separate & divorce.”

Continuing their joint separation statement, the pair wrote, “Our intention is to remain the best of friends & strong coparents. We feel incredibly blessed to have found each other and deeply grateful for the 4 years we have been married to each other.”

source: people.com