Nicki Minaj's brother indicted on rape charges

A New York grand jury has formally indicted Nicki Minaj's brother on felony rape charges.

Jelani Maraj, 37, was arrested in New York in December (15) after an unnamed 12-year-old girl alleged he had been raping her for months, with the last encounter occurring just one day prior to his arrest.

He was subsequently charged with first-degree rape and first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, and in March (16), his case was sent to a grand jury at the Nassau County Supreme Court's sex crimes division.

In the grand jury hearings, jurors heard from witnesses and reviewed evidence to determine if prosecutors should move forward with an indictment, and after a month of deliberation, the jury decided there was indeed enough proof to charge Jelani with three counts on 4 April (16).

According to court records obtained by Bossip.com, he is facing a top charge of felony predatory sexual assault against a child, and two felony counts of sexual conduct against a child and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

The first charge of predatory sexual assault alone carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

On Tuesday (19Apr16), Jelani pleaded not guilty to all charges and he is currently free on $100,000 bond.

While his superstar sister has yet to publicly comment on the case, she did post bail for her brother in December.

According to TMZ.com, the Anaconda rapper put up two of her homes as collateral for the bail bond. The houses, located in Baldwin, New York, are occupied by her brother and her mother.

The arrest came just months after Jelani wed his girlfriend Jacqueline Robinson in August (15).