crime
Page: 3
HipHopWired Featured Video
Rod Wave made a recent stop on his tour in Washington, D.C. and a tweet claiming that hundreds of vehicles were broken into went viral. It has since come out that there were way fewer than the reported break-ins that occurred during that night according to local police reports.
Rod Wave is currently on his 35-city Nostalgia tour and made a stop in Washington to perform at the Capital One Arena in the city’s Chinatown section this past Sunday (November 12. An X user by the name of @clothes_mindedx made an explosive claim that 232 cars were broken into in the area where the concert was being held and went viral in the process.
“[T]hey broke into 232 cars at the Rod Wave concert in DC last night… that’s nasty,” read the reply. Larger accounts like @SaycheeseDGTL picked up the tweet and shared it with their audiences, prompting a flurry of responses despite no official record coming from authorities in the region.
As seen on NewsOne, independent journalist Alan Henny took to X and shared his findings of the reported break-ins.
From Henny’s account:
Police officers are taking numerous reports of THEFTS FROM AUTOS in #DowntownDC in the past few hours.
This includes: 900 blk H St NW, 800 I St NW, 600 F St NW, 600 E St NW, 600 Mass Ave NW, 600 H St NW.
Guns were stolen from two autos.
NewsOne adds in its reporting that officials from the Metropolitan Police Department say that around 10 vehicles were broken into and no arrests have been made.
Washington has seen an uptick in break-ins and theft, along with a rise in armed and unarmed carjackings often attributed to area youth. The city is also on pace to set a record for homicides, prompting Mayor Muriel Bowser to enact emergency operations to address the crime across the city.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Handout / Getty
OK, this is yuge!
A second co-defendant in Donald Trump’s RICO indictment for allegedly interfering with the 2020 election in Georgia has pleaded guilty. But not just any defendant. Former Trump attorney Sidney Powell was one of the most visible, publicity-loving members of the ex-president’s legal team. She was basically ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani‘s sidekick as they tied up courts at every level with frivolous cases and easily dismissed alleging the fiction that Trump lost his bid for a second term because of illegal voting, made-up ballots and rigged voting machines.
She was also charged with six misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit intentional interference with performance of election duties, which, on Thursday, she pleaded guilty to.
From USA Today:
Powell agreed to testify in future trials in exchange for serving six years of probation, a $6,000 fine and paying restitution of $2,700.
Powell is one of 19 co-defendants charged in the case, which alleged a broad racketeering conspiracy. Other portions of the conspiracy included the recruitment of fake presidential electors to vote for Trump despite President Joe Biden winning Georgia, lying about election results to state officials and in court records, and soliciting public officials to violate their oaths of office.
Legal experts said Powell’s agreement to testify against others in the case is “very significant” because she dealt at length with Trump, lawyer Rudy Giuliani and others charged in the conspiracy.
“I think it’s very significant because she is one of the people who was closest to Trump in many of these alleged nefarious activities, and as part of the agreement, she must testify truthfully against Trump as well as the other defendants,’ said John Banzhaf, a George Washington University law professor who has been following the case closely. “So it is a major victory for Fani Willis and certainly a major concern for Trump.”
Powell was initially charged with conspiring with bail bondsman Scott Hall, who has also pleaded guilty to the RICO charges against him and others to access election equipment provided by Dominion Voting Systems without authorization. They even hired computer forensics firm SullivanStrickler to send a team to copy software and data from voting machines and computers they were told they couldn’t legally access. Another way of putting that is that they used fraudulent means to prove Dominion’s voting machines were fraudulent, which, of course, they were not.
It’s worth pointing out that conspiring to undermine democracy in order to keep Trump in office after he was legally voted out should not be a misdemeanor and certainly should result in more than less than a year of probation and less than $10,000 in fines. On top of that, Powell won’t even have to call herself a convict officially.
More from USA Today:
Powell’s agreement fell under Georgia’s First Offender Act, which will allow her to “honestly say” she was never convicted of the charges if she successfully completes her probation and is discharged, according to prosecutor Daysha Young. If Powell violates the terms of her first-offender sentence or commits another offense while on probation, her first-offender status could be revoked and she could be resentenced to the maximum, Young said.
Still, legal experts feel that Powell’s plea is a big step toward the prosecutors proving their case against Trump and the other 17 co-defendants considering she was such a major player in his circus-like MAGA games.
“Miss Powell is at the vortex, the center, the hub of the alleged conspiracy,” said Gene Rossi, a former federal prosecutor and Justice Department official who has decades of experience with RICO cases. “She will be a phenomenal witness for the government because she was at strategic meetings, part of important conversations and she was a leader in implementing the scheme to discredit the lawful election of Joe Biden.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: @JustInMyView / R1 Digital
Tekashi 6ix9ine was arrested in the Dominican Republic Sunday after the rapper, who suffered a beatdown at an LA Fitness in Florida earlier this year, allegedly dished out a beatdown of his own on music producers who were apparently in the company of his girlfriend.
According to TMZ, 6ix9ine, born Daniel Hernandez, was taken into custody Sunday night at the Hotel Balcones del Atlántico in Sánchez in the province of Samaná by La Vega prosecutor Aura Luv Garcia, who is leading the investigation into the case. Video footage circling around social media shows the chaotic scene that erupted when the “GOOBA” rapper arrived at the DR jail.
From TMZ:
Tekashi’s reportedly been accused of beating up music producers in the country with a handful of other men … after allegedly getting into it over his new girlfriend, Yailin.
Reports say Yailin was in the studio when 6ix9ine showed up with his crew — and the rapper was allegedly jealous of the producers spending time with his girl.Tekashi reportedly tried flying out of the country after the incident, but the charter company followed protocol and checked with immigration for any outstanding warrants — resulting in the rapper bailing on the plane idea.
This is 6ix9ine’s second arrest in the last few months as he was also arrested in Florida in August for skipping a court date.
It’s worth pointing out that someone who can’t stop getting into legal trouble and is known for snitching in order to get himself out of legal trouble should probably be steered clear from if one happens to be a friend of his who dabbles in illegal activity. Just saying.
The 2019 murder of rapper Nipsey Hussle is the subject of a just-launched limited true series entitled Behind the Crime. The show, which premiered this week on Fox’s Tubi network on Wednesday, is a collaboration with Dan Abrams’ Law&Crime network and it follows the killing of Hussle, as well as the murder trial of Eric […]
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Variety / Getty
For the fourth time, rapper Young Thug has been denied bond in the case in which he is charged with eight counts of conspiring to violate Georgia’s state Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, participating in criminal street gang activity, violating the state’s controlled substances act, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and possession of a machine gun.
According to Digital Music News, on Friday, Judge Ural Glanville denied bond for Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams. Glanville said in his ruling that he believes Williams would pose a threat to the community if he’s released based on his alleged history of witness intimidation.
Williams’ attorney, Brian Steel, filed his fourth motion for bond in April. At the time, he told ABC News that his client “is not a risk to commit a crime, and he’s not a risk to flee the jurisdiction, and that’s what bond is about.” He argued much of the same during the Friday hearing in Atlanta, but also added that Williams was dealing with health issues due to his stay in lockup.
From DMN:
In the recent motion, Steel claimed that his client gets limited exercise or exposure to sunlight, has been unable to eat nutritious food, and has been sleep deprived due to being required to wake up at 3:00 or 4:00 AM on the days he is to appear in court and is “fighting to pay attention to the goings on in his case.” Steel told reporters that these conditions have hindered his client’s ability to prepare for his trial.
But apparently, the judge wasn’t buying it, or at least Glanville believed the threat Young Thug poses to the public outweighs the threat life behind bars poses to his digestive system. Either way, it looks like the “Go Crazy” rapper is stuck in jail until his trial date.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: WWD / Getty
It’s safe to say that we all experienced some hard times during the lockdown of the coronavirus pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of people died, businesses were shuttered some never reopened again, and crime, homelessness, and addiction skyrocketed. But not many of us resorted to selling hard drugs to get by.
Yet, rapper Fetty Wap’s attorney has cited the pandemic as one of the alleged origins of the rapper’s “bicoastal drug distribution organization” that led to his October 2021 arrest on federal drug conspiracy charges.
Fetty’s lawyer, Elizabeth Macedonio filed a memorandum in federal court arguing for the New Jersey native rapper born Willie Junior Maxwell II to receive the mandatory minimum of five years for conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled substances versus the 87 to 108 months that the prosecutor is pushing for.
According to XXL, Macedonio’s letter to the sentencing judge reads, in part, “In or about 2020, with the coming of the worldwide pandemic, things began to change for Mr. Maxwell. There were no opportunities to perform, thus his income was severely limited,” Fetty Wap’s attorney writes. “He was sued personally, was going through a divorce, and was involved with a tour manager who was stealing from him. While the bills kept coming in, the money to pay them was running out. At or about the same time, Mr. Maxwell lost his grandparents and several other people who were close to him.”
The letter continues: “Depression and panic began to set in. As stated, Mr. Maxwell took enormous pride in his ability to provide for his children and lend support to his other family members. He is described as a people pleaser and a person who gains great satisfaction from taking care of others. Suddenly it felt like life was going in reverse and he became ashamed when he began to struggle to keep up the lifestyle that he created for so many. His judgment became impaired. Desperate to keep up with his financial obligations, Mr. Maxwell became involved in the instant offense for a few months in the spring of 2020.”
Fetty Wap was arrested by the FBI on federal drug charges in October of 2021. The feds nabbed the rapper right before he took the stage at Rolling Loud. He and five other people are accused of helping distribute over 100 kilos of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine in New York and New Jersey
He was released on bond but arrested again in the fall of 2022 for allegedly threatening to kill a man on a FaceTime call.
Fetty Wap is scheduled to be sentenced next week.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Sinisa Kukic / Getty
A Black man who was alleged to have berated riders on a New York City subway train was killed due to a chokehold by a white passenger.
As NewsOne reports, Jordan Neely was on a northbound F train on Monday afternoon (May 1st). A witness claimed that Neely was yelling at other passengers on the train. “He started screaming in an aggressive manner,” said witness Juan Alberto Vazquez. “He said he had no food, he had no drink, that he was tired and doesn’t care if he goes to jail. He started screaming all these things, took off his jacket, a black jacket that he had, and threw it on the ground.” At that point, an unidentified white straphanger comes up behind Neely and places him in a chokehold, taking him down to the ground.
After a reported duration of 15 minutes, Neely stopped moving & lost consciousness. Video footage apparently shows someone expressing concern for Neely’s well-being off-camera. The 24-year-old and another man who joined in to hold Neely down let go of him, leaving him lying on his side.
Neely was rushed to Lenox Hill Hospital by police where he would pass away. New York Police Department representatives have revealed that the 24-year-old is a former enlisted Marine, but have not revealed his name. He was arrested at the scene but released ultimately without being criminally charged. They also stated to members of the press that Neely was a recidivist with 44 prior arrests for assault & fare evasion.
The incident has angered many who got wind of the news on social media, noting how the 24-year-old vigilante wouldn’t have gotten to go free if he was Black and the victim was white. Some pointed out the free use of the term “vagrant” by publications to describe Neely. Others, like journalist Soledad O’Brien, noted how outlets like the New York Times used passive language. “Okaaaay young journos: let’s talk about the passive voice from @nytimes this fine morning. The guy “died”? Or was killed?” she wrote.
Police claim that an investigation into the exact circumstances of Neely’s death is ongoing, expressing that they are waiting on the autopsy results. Subway crime has been a heated topic of discussion, with NYPD officials boasting that it has dropped about 6% since the beginning of the year.
HipHopWired Featured Video
The LAPD is reportedly investigating the theft of a car from outside the home of singer and billionaire entrepreneur, Rihanna.
According to TMZ, a 2012 Audi sedan was stolen from outside of the Los Angeles-area home late last week when the driver allegedly ran inside for something leaving the car running and the keys inside. The report notes that the driver believes that someone jumped in and drove off with it.
The incident marks the second time that LAPD has been out to the five-bedroom, seven-bathroom estate in Beverly Hills this month.
The gossip site previously reported that a man showed up at the Bajan singer’s home earlier this month with plans to propose to her. According to TMZ, because the man had broken no laws, he was released and asked not to return.
In 2018, a man was arrested after spending at least a day inside the residence while Rihanna was away. The man later claimed he was there to have sex with the singer.
It is unclear if she was home during the last two incidents.
The Fenty Beauty leader is currently expecting her second child with rapper A$AP Rocky the couple has a son who will turn 1 in May.
According to The New York Post, Rihanna’s massive Beverly Hills home features amenities like a bonus room, breakfast room, cabana, a center hall, gym, media room, and a walk-in closet. Other features include a den/office space and a separate guest house. The house is close to that of Beatles legend, Paul McCartney.
The singer performed at both this year’s Super Bowl and the 95th Academy Awards where she performed “Lift Me Up,” from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. The song was nominated for Original Song and serves as Rihanna’s first Oscar nomination. Ultimately, “Lift Me Up,” lost to “Naatu Naatu” from the hit Telugu-language film RRR, which made history by becoming the first Indian film song to win an Oscar, according to BBC.
It’s been over seven years since Rihanna dropped a full-length studio album. However, she told British Vogue earlier this year that the wait may soon be over. “I want it to be this year,” she told the magazine. “Like, honestly, it’d be ridiculous if it’s not this year. But I just want to have fun. I just want to make music and make videos.”
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: James C Hooper / Getty
Michigan State Police took to social media this week to address rumors surrounding the deaths of three Michigan rappers who went missing in January and were later found dead in an abandoned apartment building.
Montoya Givens, 31, Armani Kelly, 28, and Dante Wicker, 31, were reported missing in late January after traveling to Detroit from the western part of the state for a performance at 31 Lounge on the city’s east side. Their families reported them missing after not hearing from them after the show was canceled. Their bodies were later found approximately six miles away in Highland Park, Michigan in what police described as a “rat infested” abandoned apartment building.
“We know there are a lot of media/social media rumors about this investigation. While we have to keep some things private we know a couple of things: There is no one in custody for this homicide. This homicide was not random and had nothing to due with music or a performance,” read one of the tweets from the Michigan State Police public information for Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties account.
The tweet continued, “This was a gang violence related incident. There are other people that know the details and we need them to come forward. Please call 800.Speak.Up if you have information on this case. Together we can bring closure to these families.”
One social media user inquired about a possible reward, to which the account replied, “That depends on crime stoppers and how the information provided helped in making an arrest.”
The story of the rapper’s disappearance and subsequent deaths became a national news story when they were reported missing Jan. 21. It was nearly two months later when their bodies were found with state police saying they each died of gunshot wounds, according to CNN.
The update is the latest provided by Michigan State Police. On Feb. 7, the same Twitter account wrote, “The investigation also has revealed that this was not a random incident. The investigation is continuing and detectives are making progress and we believe we may have determined a motive.”
Per PEOPLE, Taylor Perrin, Kelly’s fiancé told a local Detroit news station, “I just beg for help, for anything. I need answers and, if it comes to it, I need closure, because I will never forget and I will never stop,” she said. Perrin explained that Kelly who rapped under the rap name, “Marley Whoop,” was working, going to school and developing his rap career while bouncing back from a robbery arrest.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Extreme Media / Getty
After a wave of violent robberies, the New York Police Department is suggesting that businesses should ask people entering to unmask as a safety measure.
At a press conference held Tuesday (Feb. 28), NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey was asked about the rise in violent robberies in the city and a recent case where a 79-year-old woman was brutally assaulted at a jewelry store in Flushing, Queens. The police have gone on record saying that they have had difficulty identifying suspects due to them wearing masks. “We are asking the businesses to make this a condition of entry, that people when they come in, they show their face, they should identify themselves,” Maddrey said.
Related Stories
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses would ask that patrons remove their masks when entering. As the pandemic raged on, they have been requesting patrons mask up. “We’re seeing far too often where people are coming up to our businesses, sometimes with masks, sometimes masks, hoods, and latex gloves, and they’re being allowed, they’re being buzzed in and allowed to enter the store and we have a robbery,” Maddrey continued. “We need our businesses to be proactive and do their due diligence. We need to make sure people are identifying themselves.”
The robbery at the Diamonds Direct store Feb. 21 occurred when the woman, who was watching the store for her daughter when she went out to lunch, buzzed in three people including one who pretended to be an Amazon delivery driver. The daughter, an immigrant from Taiwan who owns the store, feels they were professional thieves.
“They scheduled a delivery, make sure you are on your premises — you open your door and they will come to make a fake delivery,” she said to a local news network. “It could happen to anybody, older people, parents, kids at home. You’re expecting delivery on Amazon, UPS, maybe Con Edison, the people dressed in uniform.”
The NYPD has said that there have been 11 robberies at jewelry stores this year so far. Last year, robberies spiked to a rate of over 30% when compared to the previous two years. They have stated that they will begin to offer free security assessments to local businesses.