Popular Singer Akon Detained in Georgia over Licence Warrant
Renowned Senegalese-American singer Akon (legal name Aliaune Badara Thiam) was arrested on November 7, 2025, in Chamblee, Georgia, after a traffic camera flagged a vehicle registered to him in connection with an outstanding bench warrant.
What happened
Authorities say a “Flock” automated camera system alerted police to a vehicle tied to a warrant at a business on Chamblee Dunwoody Road.
Police traced the vehicle to the location and found Akon standing beside it. He reportedly complied with instructions and was arrested by the Chamblee Police Department.
The warrant stemmed from a September 10 incident in Roswell, Georgia, when police discovered the singer’s Tesla Cybertruck stranded and learned his driver’s licence was suspended, partly due to failure to appear in court in January 2023.
He was booked into the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office jail on November 6 at 9:34 a.m. and released later that same day at 3:30 p.m. He was re-booked around midnight the next day and released shortly after.
Additional details
Police reported the vehicle lacked valid insurance, and during inventory an “illegal vape” was seized from the console.
Akon’s camp described the licence suspension as a clerical error, insisting the fee had been paid but not properly entered into the system.
Despite the arrest, Akon proceeded with his scheduled performances. He was in New Delhi, India, on November 9, two days after his detainment.
What it means
The incident highlights how automated enforcement systems (such as “Flock” cameras) can trigger arrests linked to seemingly minor or longstanding causes—like unpaid fines or missed court appearances. For a high-profile artist like Akon, the case underscores that legal and traffic issues can have public visibility and may complicate tour schedules and public image.
Status
As of now, no comments have been released by Akon directly; his representative is reportedly working to resolve the licence matter in court in early December.