Akon Pleads Guilty To Tossing Teen

Akon's Freedom was released on Dec. 2, and the rapper will be allowed to keep his freedom after a court appearance on Wednesday.

Akon (real name Aliaune Thiam) will have to do 65 hours of community service and pay a $250 fine for throwing a fan off his shoulders during a June 3, 2007 concert at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, N.Y.

Akon was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and second degree harassment. He initially pleaded not guilty to both counts, but changed his mind and pleaded guilty to the harassment charge in the courtroom at the Fishkill Town Hall. (Insert joke about Akon being Konvicted here.)

Akon could have faced up to a year and 15 days in jail. The rapper could come back before the court again if he's arrested in the next 12 months.

The 2007 concert was interrupted when a fan threw something at Akon, who had the crowd identify who did it and then brought him on to the stage. The hip-hop star lifted the 15-year-old on his shoulders and then tossed him into the audience.

Here's a video of the incident:

Rollingstone.com reports that Akon's victim, Anthony Smith, approached him while he was filling out court documents. The teenager shook his hand and said, "Thanks a lot."

Akon apparently apologized and said, "We never had a chance to talk."

Smith's father reportedly interrupted and confronted Akon by saying, "You threw my son off the stage."

But it didn't go any further than that, and no-one was tossed.