Mistah F.A.B. Arrested After Illegal Fireworks Investigation.
Oakland rapper Mistah F.A.B. was arrested on Wednesday following a three-week illegal fireworks investigation, according to police.
On July 4, F.A.B. posted an Instagram video that was, in part, what prompted Oakland police to launch the illegal fireworks investigation.
Oakland police served a search warrant on multiple locations tied to the rapper whose real name is Stanley Cox. Police say they recovered two guns, one that was stolen, and multiple boxes of fireworks. In a second post on July 4, Mistah F.A.B. seemed to try to distance himself from the fireworks.
Mistah F.A.B. is well known in the community. He organizes annual Turkey giveaways, holiday toy events and school supply drives. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee even partnered with Mistah F.A.B. on an Oakland children’s reading program.
Lee declined to comment on F.A.B.’s arrest, saying it’s an active investigation.
Mistah F.A.B.’s also gotten a lot of attention for his mental health forums called Thug Therapy, gatherings aimed at young men of color, designed to encourage them to open up about their emotional struggles and get support.
“I see Mr. F.A.B. Stanley Cox as a local hero so there’s not much he could ever do that would jade my perception of who he is and how he operates for some of the most disenfranchised individuals in the Bay Area,” Head of Contra Costa’s National Alliance for Mental Gigi Crowder said.
Crowder has collaborated with the rapper. She says she’d rather focus on all the good Mistah F.A.B. has done.
“Even though we have these allegations about a missed step he has taken I always judge people on the 99% of the time they get it right,” she said.
NBC Bay Area tried to reach out to Mistah F.A.B. but was unable to connect. He posted on Wednesday urging people to stay positive.
“I know if he had the fireworks it’s his attempt at bringing joy and have something positive happen for people who might not have the opportunity to enjoy fireworks,” Crowder said. S: NBC Bay Area
