Nicki Minaj's brother Jelani Maraj sentenced to 25 years to life for raping 11-year-old
Jelani Maraj, the older brother of rapper Nicki Minaj, has been sentenced for predatory sexual assault.
Maraj was sentenced 25 years to life in prison on Monday, Miriam Sholder, the deputy communications director for the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, confirmed to USA TODAY.
In November 2017, Maraj was found guilty of predatory sexual assault after being charged with repeatedly raping an 11-year-old girl at his Long Island, New York, home.
During the trial, the victim testified that she was assaulted numerous times over eight months in 2015 at Maraj's home. He was arrested in December 2015.
Maraj's lawyers said during the trial that the rape allegations were concocted by the girl's mother as part of a scheme to get his famous sister to pay $25 million in hush money.
Prosecutors, however, said DNA evidence supported the allegations. The girl's younger brother testified that he witnessed one assault.
More: Nicki Minaj's brother convicted in child rape case
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Maraj's attorney didn't immediately return USA TODAY's request for comment.
Ahead of her brother's arrest, Minaj wrote on Instagram, "Jelani, I love u more than you'll ever comprehend."
Contributing: The Associated Press
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nicki Minaj's brother gets 25 years to life for raping 11-year-old