NEW YORK (AP) — A New York Metropolis rapper who joined President Donald Trump throughout a marketing campaign rally final yr has pleaded responsible to tried homicide and conspiracy fees after prosecutors say he used earnings from his music profession to gasoline gang violence in Brooklyn.
Sheff G, whose authorized title is Michael Williams, agreed to serve 5 years in jail as a part of the plea entered in a Brooklyn court docket Wednesday, Brooklyn District Legal professional Eric Gonzalez mentioned.
“Notoriety could not shield this defendant from justice,” Gonzalez mentioned in an announcement. “He used his fame to fund and direct violence, terrorizing our streets.”
The 26-year-old rapper, whose songs and movies have hundreds of thousands of YouTube views and Spotify streams, was amongst these arrested in reference to a long-term investigation into gang-related shootings within the New York Metropolis borough of Brooklyn.
Greater than 30 purported members of the 8 Trey Crips and the road gang’s affiliate, the 9 Methods gang, have thus far been indicted.
Amongst them is Tegan Chambers, a rapper often called Sleepy Hallow who additionally appeared on stage with Trump and Sheff G in the course of the Might 23, 2024, rally within the Bronx.
Prosecutors say Sheff G showered cash and jewellery on gang members are they battled rivals in Brooklyn.
In a single taking pictures, they are saying Sheff G even acted because the getaway driver, chauffeuring three codefendants to and from a 2021 taking pictures that focused a rival however as an alternative hit two bystanders.
He additionally handled Sleepy Hallow and others to a lavish dinner at a Manhattan steakhouse to have fun a 2020 taking pictures that killed a purported rival gang member and injured 5 others, in response to prosecutors.
Surveillance movies, social media posts, textual content messages and extra doc the prison actions, and the 2 rappers additionally boasted about their deeds of their songs, Gonzalez’s workplace mentioned.
Legal professionals for the 2 rappers did not instantly reply to emails in search of remark Thursday. Sheff G is because of be sentenced Aug. 13; Sleepy Hallow is due in court docket April 11.
The 2 had been among the many notable names Trump touted throughout his marketing campaign stops as he labored to woo Black voters by evaluating his authorized challenges to racial prejudice within the prison justice system.
“One thing I want to say: They are always going to whisper your accomplishments and shout your failures,” Sheff G informed the Bronx crowd final Might after being invited on stage by the Republican candidate. “Trump is going to shout the wins for all of us.”