​​Why Was ‘Pepas’ So Damn Successful?

Music producer Raphy Pina was found guilty on two charges of illegal possession of weapons.

According to Billboard, the jury’s verdict was read inside a U.S. Federal courtroom in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday (December 22) after a trial that lasted six days. Pina, whose client list includes his fiancée, singer Natti Natasha, faces up to 20 years in prison for one count of possessing an automatic weapon and one count of possessing firearms by a person convicted of a felony.

“I am a warrior,” Pina said as he left the courthouse. “I am going to keep going, and I am going to show the whole world who Raphy Pina is. It’s the first round of 12. I’m going to enjoy Christmas with my family.”

Along with Natasha and his three kids, Daddy Yankee, another of Pina’s clients, was in the courtroom to hear the guilty verdict.

“We respect the jury’s decision, but we are not in agreement,” Yankee said. “At this moment, Pina is going through a very difficult process, but he is calm and seems happy that he can at least spend New Year’s with his family, and that’s the most important thing. We get to spend the holidays with him, and we’re happy about that.”

According to court documents, Pina was indicted this past summer for possession of a “Glock pistol, Model 19, 9mm caliber, which was modified to automatic, one Smith & Wesson, Model SD40, .40 caliber, and 526 total rounds of live ammunition for handguns, rifles, and shotguns.”

Sentencing on the charges will take place on April 1, 2022. According to El Nuevo Dia, Pina will be under house arrest, which includes wearing an ankle monitor during that time.

Pina founded Pina Records in 1996. Since then, it has become the most successful reggaeton label globally and includes musicians on its roster like Tainy, reggaeton duo Luny Tunes, and Puerto Rican composer Wise.