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Montana of 300 is preparing to appeal after a Peoria jury convicted him of aggravated battery and domestic battery, along with resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
Representative Tiffany Gaines issued a statement saying Montana, whose legal name is Walter Anthony Bradford, still maintains his innocence after the verdict.
“We respectfully disagree with the jury’s verdict and intend to pursue all available appellate remedies. Mr. Bradford maintains his innocence. Out of respect for the ongoing legal process, we will have no further comment regarding the evidence at this time.”
The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office said jurors returned guilty verdicts on all three charges following a February 2025 confrontation involving Montana’s former girlfriend.
Prosecutors said the case began at a Peoria salon where the woman was working when Montana arrived, with police officers still nearby.
They said Montana used the salon’s rear entrance, then followed the woman outside and grabbed her after she ran screaming from the building.
Officers ordered Montana to stop, but prosecutors said he ignored them before police used a Taser and took him into custody.
Montana’s own reaction focused on what he said happened on the witness stand, where he claimed the woman denied he ever touched her.
He also argued that no other witness or officer observed any physical contact, yet the jury still accepted the prosecution’s version.
Montana later framed the conviction around race while warning younger men about controlling their reactions during confrontations that could become criminal cases.
“I hope all the young boys are paying attention…as boys and men, we cannot afford to lose our cool, not even a little bit.”
The Chicago-born rapper built his name through a steady run of viral remixes before releasing his 2016 album Fire in the Church.
AllHipHop interviewed Montana that year about accountability and his career, as Fire in the Church put his independent run in the wider spotlight.
His catalog later expanded through independent projects including Don’t Doubt the God, Pray for the Devil and Rap God.
Montana is scheduled to return to court for sentencing October 16, according to the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office.
