Casanova, the Brooklyn rapper who was previously arrested in connection with gang-related crimes as part of a racketeering case, has now been handed his prison sentence. Despite facing a potential maximum sentence of 60 years, he was ultimately sentenced to serve 188 months, which amounts to over 15 years, in prison.
The announcement regarding Casanova’s sentencing for racketeering and narcotics offenses was made by Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, in a press release. The sentencing was presided over by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern.
Damian Williams said, “Caswell Senior is not just a notorious recording artist, but he is also a high-profile leader of a vicious street gang and a magnet for gang violence. At a crowded Miami house party, Senior personally fired a gun that seriously injured and could have killed a victim, inciting a shootout. Further, Senior’s stature in the community was central to Gorilla Stone’s successful recruitment and nationwide expansion. Today’s sentencing — along with the other significant sentences that have been imposed in this case — shows once again that gang life is not worth it and will lead to many years in prison.”
In January, Casanova entered a guilty plea for racketeering and narcotics offenses related to his position as a leader within the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang. As part of his plea, the 36-year-old rapper confessed to his involvement in a Florida shooting that occurred in July 2020, a robbery in New York City in 2018, and the trafficking of over 100 kilograms of marijuana.
Casanova was among a group of 18 individuals who were indicted in December 2020 on the charges mentioned earlier, relating to their alleged involvement in the gang. Initially, upon surrendering himself to authorities, he maintained his innocence and entered a plea of not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and firearms.