For his involvement in racketeering and narcotics-related crimes, American rapper Casanova has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison.
On Tuesday, June 27, U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern sentenced Casanova to 188 months, which amounts to just over 15 years in prison, for his role as a leader in the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang, also known as Gorilla Stone. The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, announced the sentence today.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated, “Caswell Senior is not only a well-known recording artist, but also a prominent leader of a violent street gang and a catalyst for gang violence. Senior personally discharged a firearm during a crowded Miami house party, causing serious injury and potentially fatal consequences. Moreover, Senior’s influence in the community was pivotal to Gorilla Stone’s successful recruitment and expansion across the nation. Today’s sentencing, along with other substantial sentences imposed in this case, serves as a reminder that gang involvement leads to lengthy prison terms.”
Earlier in January, Casanova pleaded guilty to racketeering and narcotics offenses related to his leadership in the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang. As part of his plea, the 36-year-old confessed to his involvement in a July 2020 shooting in Florida, a 2018 robbery in New York City, and trafficking over 100 kilograms of marijuana.
Cas was one of 18 alleged gang members indicted in December 2020 on the aforementioned charges. Despite initially pleading not guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and firearms possession, he later surrendered himself to authorities.
In August, Casanova’s co-defendant Donovan “Donnie Love” Gillard received a sentence of 20 years and eight months in prison. Prosecutors noted at the time of his sentencing that “Gillard’s leadership role required him to ensure that his subordinates adhered to the gang’s regulations, including retaliating against rival gang members posing threats to the gang’s drug trade or its overall reputation and influence.”
Casanova is the 12th defendant in the Gorilla Stone case to be sentenced. Five more defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
