Cyndi Lauper’s son, Deklyn “Dex” Roper, recently faced charges related to a shooting incident in Harlem but managed to evade a lengthy prison sentence. During a court appearance on Friday, he pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal possession of a weapon regarding a shooting that occurred on February 7, 2024, which resulted in an injury to a friend.
Had he been convicted of the firearms offense, there was a possibility of him facing up to seven years behind bars. However, he has been sentenced to just one year of interim probation instead.
Roper, who is aspiring to make a name for himself in rap, appeared in court wearing a Louis Vuitton jacket he valued at $10,000. After accepting a plea deal, he gave a thumbs up, seemingly relieved by the outcome.
The plea agreement requires Roper to engage in substance abuse treatment and to stay out of trouble for one year. Judge Sarah Littman confirmed that if he successfully completes the conditions of the agreement, he may be granted a three-year conditional release on the misdemeanor firearms charge.
This outcome follows an incident over two years ago when a 29-year-old man was caught with a loaded Glock near where Roper’s friend was shot in the leg by a group of gunmen on Harlem’s 112th Street. Roper had previously denied ownership of the weapon but made headlines for attempting to sue his mother after his arrest.
In a moment of frustration, he reportedly told detectives, “I’m a grown man. My mother is Cyndi Lauper,” asking for his mother and life coach to be contacted.
This plea deal marks Roper’s second conviction in Manhattan. He had previously accepted a plea in 2022 to avoid prison time after stealing a Mercedes in front of a well-known rapper’s statue.
Roper’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, expressed satisfaction with the plea agreement, stating it was a “great solution.” He emphasized that Roper is eager to move past the lawsuit and concentrate on his music career, suggesting that the legal troubles had been a distraction for the young artist.
