The older brother of hip-hop star Nicki Minaj has been accused of raping a child, according to court records.
Jelani Maraj was arrested Tuesday in connection with at least two alleged incidents of sexual contact with a child earlier this year in Nassau County, authorities said. He faces charges of first-degree rape involving a child younger than 13 and course of sexual conduct against a child.
Maraj is accused of raping a 12-year-old child on at least two occasions between April and November, according to court documents. A source close to the case told the Daily News that Maraj's alleged victim was "someone he had access to."
According to state penal codes, a person is guilty of course of sexual conduct against a child when a suspect engages in two or more instances of sexual contact with a child younger than 13 over a three-month period. The crime is a felony.
NBC 4 New York has reached out to Maraj and representatives for Minaj. Maraj's attorney did not return repeated telephone calls seeking comment on Friday.
A spokesman for the district attorney's office declined to comment on the allegations.
Maraj is due back in court next week.
