In a startling development in the legal dispute involving rapper Fat Joe, his accuser’s attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, has been indicted for assault after allegedly running over a process server with his car in New York City. The indictment, confirmed by law enforcement sources, stems from an incident in May where Blackburn is accused of reversing his vehicle into a 66-year-old process server, causing a significant knee injury that required surgical intervention.
The alleged assault occurred when the process server was attempting to serve legal documents related to the civil case between Fat Joe and Terrance “T.A.” Dixon, whom Blackburn represents. According to sources, Blackburn got into his car while the server was present, then put the vehicle in reverse and struck the server’s leg. The victim claims the injury was severe, describing it as a somewhat major knee injury that necessitated surgery to address the damage.
Blackburn was arrested on assault charges in June 2025, approximately six weeks after the incident. The recent indictment means that the criminal case will advance, with the indictment remaining sealed until his arraignment. This adds a new layer of complexity to the already contentious legal battle, which has seen multiple lawsuits and allegations flying between the parties.
The background of this case dates back to Dixon’s initial lawsuit against Fat Joe, where he alleges that he contributed to the rapper’s music and is owed millions of dollars in compensation. Subsequently, Blackburn and Dixon filed another lawsuit accusing Fat Joe of engaging in sexual relations with minors, allegations that Fat Joe’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, has vehemently denied. Tacopina called the claims “lies intended to damage his reputation and force a settlement through public pressure,” emphasizing that Fat Joe plans to fight them vigorously in court.
Fat Joe has previously expressed his intention to get even with Dixon and Blackburn through legal means, and the new indictment against Blackburn could shift the dynamics of the dispute. The rapper is also pursuing defamation claims against Dixon, arguing that the allegations are baseless and harmful to his career and personal life.
The case underscores the potential for legal proceedings in the entertainment industry to become highly personal and adversarial. It also raises questions about the conduct of attorneys in high-stakes lawsuits and the impact of such conflicts on the judicial process. Public attention on the case has been significant, given Fat Joe’s celebrity status and the serious nature of the allegations.
As the criminal case against Blackburn progresses, he will face arraignment on the assault charges, which could result in penalties if convicted. Meanwhile, the civil lawsuits between Fat Joe and Dixon continue, with the outcome of the criminal case potentially influencing the civil litigation, depending on how evidence and testimony unfold.
In summary, the indictment of Tyrone Blackburn represents a critical turn in the ongoing legal saga surrounding Fat Joe, highlighting the intense emotions and high risks involved in celebrity legal disputes. The developments will be closely watched as they unfold in court.