Kelvin Evans, the man who stole unreleased Beyoncé music, has been sentenced to two years in prison following a guilty plea to charges of criminal trespass and entering an automobile, as reported by WXIA-TV.
Plea Deal and Sentence
Evans, who changed his plea to guilty on the eve of his jury trial, received a five-year sentence. Of these, two years will be served in prison and the remaining three years on probation. Evans was initially accused of the theft in 2025, just before Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour stop in Atlanta.
Details of the Theft
Prosecutors presented surveillance footage during the hearing, alleging that Evans parked next to a Jeep outside an Atlanta building, looked inside, and stole two suitcases and several hard drives. These items reportedly contained unreleased music, setlists, and concert video footage. The Jeep was used by Beyoncé's choreographer and one of her dancers. None of the stolen items has been recovered, as reported by Fox 5 Atlanta.
Background and Legal Proceedings
At the time of the theft, Evans was on parole, and the stolen items were allegedly taken into an apartment building connected to his sister. The plea deal was reached after negotiations, avoiding the need for a jury trial.
Impact on Beyoncé's Team
The theft occurred shortly before a major tour event for Beyoncé, adding pressure on her team as they prepared for the Atlanta stop. The loss of unreleased material and other sensitive content was a significant concern for the artist's management.
Source: https://pitchfork.com/news/man-who-stole-unreleased-beyonce-music-to-serve-two-years-in-prison/
