A man who burglarized a vehicle and stole digital storage devices containing unreleased music by global superstar Beyonce has been sentenced to two years in prison. Kelvin Evans, 41, received his sentence in an Atlanta court this week after pleading guilty to charges that included criminal trespass and entering an automobile. In addition to his prison term, the judge ordered Evans to serve three years of probation following his release. The incident occurred last year during the Atlanta leg of Beyonce’s highly anticipated Cowboy Carter world tour.
The theft took place on July 8, 2025, in a parking garage where a rental Jeep Wagoneer had been parked. The vehicle was being used by Beyonce’s professional choreographer, Christopher Grant, and dancer, Diandre Blue. Upon returning to their car, the two performers discovered that a rear window had been smashed and several pieces of luggage were missing. According to the Fulton County District Attorney’s office, the stolen items included high-end electronics and luxury clothing, but the most critical loss was a set of hard drives. Investigators stated that these drives contained unreleased musical material and sensitive personal information belonging to the singer.
Prosecution evidence presented during the proceedings included surveillance footage that tracked Evans’ movements on the day of the crime. Cameras captured a red Hyundai, driven by Evans, pulling up alongside the rental vehicle shortly before the break-in. Additional footage showed the same car arriving at an apartment complex, where Evans was seen handling suitcases that matched the description of those stolen from Grant and Blue. Despite the conviction and the subsequent search operations, authorities confirmed to the BBC that the hard drives and other personal items have not yet been recovered.
During the sentencing hearing, Evans’ legal counsel argued that his client was seeking a path toward legitimate employment and a peaceful reintegration into society. However, the gravity of the theft, particularly involving intellectual property and sensitive data, led the court to impose a custodial sentence. Evans has been in custody since his initial arrest in August 2025. As part of the final judgment, he is strictly prohibited from contacting the victims or returning to the site of the theft.
The timing of the burglary was particularly disruptive, as it occurred just before Beyonce was set to perform a four-night series of concerts at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For the music industry, the theft of unreleased content represents a significant security breach that can lead to financial losses and creative disruptions. While the legal case against Kelvin Evans has reached its conclusion, the fate of the unreleased tracks remains a mystery. The missing hard drives continue to be a source of concern for the artist’s production team as they navigate the security implications of stolen intellectual property.
