Casanova, an American rapper, was found guilty of racketeering and drug-related offences and received a sentence of more than 15 years in jail.
On Tuesday, June 27, U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern sentenced Casanova for his leadership of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang, often known as Gorilla Stone, to 188 months—a little over 15 years—in prison for racketeering and drug offences. The statement was made today by Damian Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
U.S. Attorney 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 conjunction with his leadership position in the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang, Casanova already entered a guilty plea to racketeering and drug charges. The 36-year-old admitted to trafficking more than 100 kg of marijuana as part of his guilty plea. He also informed authorities that he was involved in a July 2020 shooting in Florida and a 2018 robbery in New York City.
The American rapper was one of 18 suspected gang members who were charged legally with the aforementioned offences in December 2020. He initially maintained his innocence after turning himself in to the authorities, entering a not-guilty plea to the accusations of conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to distribute controlled narcotics and possession of guns.
In August, Casanova’s co-defendant Donovan “Donnie Love” Gillard was sentenced to 20 years and eight months in prison. “Gillard’s leadership role meant that he was responsible for ensuring that his many reports followed the gang’s rules, including retaliating against rival gang members who threatened the gang’s narcotics dealing or its overall reputation and stature,” prosecutors said at the time of his sentencing.
“Gillard was responsible for ensuring that his reports learned the Gorilla Stone oath and its various rules, and he played a role in recruiting young members to the violent gang.”
Casanova is the 12th defendant to have received a sentence in the Gorilla Stone case. More than five people have admitted guilt and are awaiting punishment.