Today, a federal judge in New York sentenced rapper Casanova, whose real name is Caswell Senior, to 188 months (15 years and 8 months) in prison for his involvement in a violent street gang known as the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation (UGSN). Casanova pleaded guilty in October to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the indictment and other court documents, Casanova was a high-ranking member of UGSN, a gang that operated in New York City and other parts of the country. UGSN engaged in various criminal activities, including murder, robbery, assault, fraud, and drug trafficking. Casanova admitted that he participated in the gang’s affairs by selling crack cocaine and marijuana, and by possessing a loaded firearm to protect himself and the gang.
The prosecution also presented evidence that Casanova was involved in a shooting at a diner in Brooklyn in 2018, where he and other UGSN members opened fire at rival gang members, injuring one person. Casanova also admitted that he stabbed a person at a nightclub in Manhattan in 2019, as part of a gang-related dispute. Some conspiracy theorists believe Casanova snitched during the trial to attempt lightening his sentence.
In addition to the prison term, Casanova was ordered to forfeit $10,000 and to pay restitution to the victims of his crimes. He will also be subject to five years of supervised release after he completes his sentence.
Casanova is a well-known rapper who has collaborated with artists such as Jay-Z, Fabolous, and Chris Brown. He rose to fame with his 2016 hit song “Don’t Run”, which was later remixed with several other rappers. He has released two albums, “Behind These Scars” in 2019 and “Free At Last” in 2020.
Casanova’s sentencing is the result of a long-term investigation by the FBI, the NYPD, and the ATF, as part of the Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Force. The task force is dedicated to combating violent gangs and reducing crime in New York City. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York prosecuted the case.
