Brooklyn-based rapper Casanova surrendered himself to authorities Wednesday night after he was named in a sweeping indictment of the “Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation” gang earlier this week.
Casanova, who given name is Caswell Senior, 34, faces racketeering conspiracy, firearm possession, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances as part of an indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court Tuesday. The other 17 suspects in the indictment were already in custody.
He surrendered himself at the Midtown South precinct in Manhattan, police said.
The Bloods faction has been tied to shootings and robberies in Westchester County and Brooklyn, and one of its alleged members, Brandon (Stacks) Soto, is accused of driving an accomplice to Poughkeepsie to assassinate a 15-year-old boy on Sept. 21.
The Poughkeepsie Journal identifies the teen as Jalani Jones, who was fatally shot in the head.
Two suspects are accused of using other people’s IDs to file fraudulent applications for COVID-19-related unemployment benefits.
“Members of Gorilla Stone committed terrible acts of violence, trafficked in narcotics, and even engaged in brazen fraud by exploiting benefits programs meant to provide assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss.
Casanova, whose track “Set Trippin” includes the lyrics “Punch you in the face muthaf----- I knock ya teeth out. Every time I come through n----- I got my heat out, ” still faces charges in a 2018 assault in Brooklyn.
He’s accused of punching and robbing a young woman who was recording him at a Greenwich Village diner.
If he’s convicted of the top charge against him, racketeering conspiracy, Casanova could face up to life in prison.
Source: New York Daily News
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