A judge denied Brooklyn rapper Casanova’s bid for bail Thursday, ruling that he presented a danger to the community if released from jail.
Manhattan Federal Judge Philip Halpern said Casanova’s criminal history, along with the evidence against the accused Gorilla Stone Bloods member, made it too risky to grant him $2.5 million bail pending trial. Casanova’s real name is Caswell Senior.
“The fact that violence seems to be perpetuated by associates of Mr. Senior ... it’s plausible to interpret that as evidence ... Mr. Senior doesn’t have to get his hands dirty,” Halpern said.
“(Casanova) is a full fledged, committed leader of the gang,” Assistant U.S. Attorney David Felton said, citing “rampant evidence of guns, drugs & violence centrally involving this defendant.”
Defense attorney James Kousouros unsuccessfully argued that the government’s case boiled down to comments by other accused gangsters about Casanova, as well as photos of him with large amounts of weed.
Casanova faces a minimum of 15 years in prison on charges of toting firearms and dealing drugs in connection with the gang. Prosecutors say he held a position near the top of Gorilla Stone, which was founded by incarcerated gangster Dwight “Dick Wolf” Reid.
The judge cautioned that was difficult to “fully understand” Casanova’s status within the gang.
UGP (UnderGround Princes) is an Indian-American alternative hip-hop group consisting of rapper/singer/tabla player Sambrum and rapper/producer/songwriter Rohiit. Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, the duo releases music in English, Hindi, and other Indian languages incorporating American and Indian cultural styles.
After releasing their debut American album, Brown Bulls, a 15-track introduction to their styles and production, in 2021 the group is releasing singles at a staggering pace in preparation for the release of their American follow-up and Indian debut projects (the latter of which features hip hop in Hindi, English, Kannada and Telugu).
Sambrum
Sambrum is an Indian-American artist, rapper, singer, songwriter and tabla player originally from the Washington DC area. Following a musical tradition that started with his great-great-grandfather, Vidwan Borlingaiah of Karnataka, Sambrum and his older brother founded a tabla academy, STAY (Sandesh Tabla Academy for Youth) in 2000, and has been teaching tabla to young Indian-Americans for almost two decades since.
As a hip hop artist, Sambrum has been writing and recording since 2012, releasing his first two independent projects in 2016. Since then, the artist has been building his fan base organically through performances on college campuses and releasing singles since graduating university himself. In 2018, Sambrum co-founded the group UGP (UnderGround Princes), with current plans to release two upcoming projects with the group in 2021, two American albums and another Indian album incorporating four languages, as well as his own solo project to follow.
Rohiit
Releasing several projects between 2010 and 2017 under different stage names, Rohiit has collaborated with rappers from around the country and continues to expand his fan base through the release of new material, performances, and features on albums released by multi-genre artists.
Following the formation of UGP (UnderGround Princes), Josh plans to release three upcoming projects with the group in 2021, two American albums and another Indian album incorporating four languages, as well as his own solo project to follow.
Dominant UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will face one of his toughest tests to date on February 13, as he meets former teammate Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC 258. On a 16-fight win streak, Usman has defeated Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal in defense of the title he took from Tyron Woodley in 2019, and now he puts his belt on the line against the surging “Durinho,” who has won six in a row on his way to the biggest fight in his career.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is one of the world's most famous and successful actor/producers. Her latest film, The White Tiger, is currently streaming on Netflix—ditto for We Can Be Heroes—and her memoir Unfinished is set to release on February 9th. But how is she with spicy food? We got a sneak preview when she joined Sean Evans and Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight Show for a mini Hot Ones gauntlet, but find out what happens when she tries to run through the full 10 wings. Along the way, the international star discusses the difference between Indian food in New York and LA, explains why she met Larry Bird, and much more. It's the Season 14 season premiere—let's go, spice lords!
SEATTLE (AP) — Former Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Chad Wheeler was charged with first-degree domestic violence assault on Wednesday following his arrest last weekend.
Wheeler was additionally charged with domestic violence unlawful imprisonment and resisting arrest by King County Prosecutors. Wheeler is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 9. The first-degree domestic violence assault charge is a Class A felony in Washington. The domestic violence unlawful imprisonment charge is a Class C felony.
Prosecutors also asked a judge to require Wheeler be placed on electronic home detention, and wear an ankle monitoring device be equipped with GPS monitoring.
The charging decision by prosecutors ended a whirlwind day that included Wheeler being waived by the Seahawks, according to the NFL’s official transactions wire after details emerged of the alleged assault and his arrest.
“The Seahawks are saddened by the details emerging against Chad Wheeler and strongly condemn this act of domestic violence. Our thoughts and support are with the victim. Chad is a free agent and no longer with the team,” the Seahawks said in a statement.
Wheeler joined the Seahawks in 2019 and appeared in five games this season. His contract with the team was set to expire with the start of the new league year in March.
Wheeler was arrested by police in the Seattle suburb of Kent, Washington, and booked into the King County Jail early Saturday for investigation of felony domestic violence. He had an initial court appearance Monday and was released from jail Tuesday after posting $400,000 bond.
Officers went to a residence in Kent on Friday night after the victim and family members called 911 and reported the victim had locked herself in a bathroom after being attacked, according to the case file.
Arriving officers heard a woman screaming, forced their way into the apartment and broke down the door to the locked bathroom, documents said. Police found Wheeler with the woman, who was crying with her face covered in blood and her arm hanging limply at her side, court records say.
The officers eventually detained Wheeler, who was uncooperative and yelled, “Sorry!” and “I don’t beat women!” according to court documents. A Taser was also used against Wheeler, which the charging documents said had little effect.
At a hospital, the woman told investigators Wheeler told her to stand up and bow to him and when she refused, he threw her on the bed, choking her and trying to smother her, court documents say.
She began to lose consciousness and tried to fight back but Wheeler grabbed her arm and twisted it, the court file says. She then lost consciousness for an unknown length of time.
When she regained consciousness, the woman saw Wheeler by the bed and he said, “Wow, you’re alive?” Then she ran into the bathroom, where she called her family and 911, according to the case file.
Wheeler picked the lock to the bathroom and entered, then began apologizing. Officers arrived at the scene and arrested Wheeler.
Charging documents say the woman had a fractured humerus bone and dislocated elbow in her left arm. She also had lesions on her neck, some in the shape of fingermarks.
Doctors also said they believe the swelling and bruising to the victim’s face was the result strikes and punches, according to the charging papers. The victim said she did not remember Wheeler striking her.
Prosecutors say if convicted on the charges, sentencing range can be anywhere from eight to 12 years.
HOUSTON -- Quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday.
Watson made the request to the team weeks ago, sources told ESPN.
The Texans' new head coaching hire, David Culley, has not and will not alter Watson's thinking, sources told ESPN.
Watson hasn't spoken to new Texans general manager Nick Caserio or executive Jack Easterby, sources told ESPN.
Watson, who signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension in September, is under contract through the 2025 season. He has a no-trade inclusion in his contract, but given the length of his contract and the possibility of franchise-tagging him for three years, the Texans could choose not to trade him and would have control of his rights through the 2028 season.
The trade request comes after Watson was reportedly unhappy with the process used by the team to hire Caserio in early January.
After Watson signed his contract extension last year, he was emotional as he discussed how happy he was to commit to the franchise and the city.
"It's just an amazing moment for me to be able to extend my career in a location, in a place, in a home, I would say, that my family loves, that I love," Watson said in September. "I want to continue to dive into the community most of all and just continue to build my legacy, just build our legacy as a whole and do something that we've never done before."
Watson set career-highs this past season in passing yards, touchdowns and completion percentage. He also threw a career-low seven interceptions. His 33 touchdowns and 4,823 passing yards were also single-season franchise records.
The quarterback's best individual season came in a season where the team went 4-12 and fired head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien after an 0-4 start.
Although he has played only four seasons (54 games), Watson's 104 passing touchdowns and 14,539 passing yards rank second in Texans franchise history behind Matt Schaub (124 touchdowns and 23,221 passing yards in 90 games).
Watson is currently the NFL's all-time leader in completion percentage behind New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. In 2020, he became just the 11th player in NFL history to complete at least 70% of his passes in a single season.
Manny Pacquiao has already moved on from a Conor McGregor mega-fight as the demand for such a match is no longer there, one of his managers said.
McGregor competed in an MMA bout Saturday at the Etihad Arena on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, in a fight that could have re-announced him as an elite fighter.
However, the No.2-ranked lightweight Dustin Poirier shellacked McGregor against the fence, beat him to the floor, & then left him bloodied, defeated & concussed on the canvas midway through the second round of a wild fight.
Prior to the UFC 257 headliner, there had been talks that McGregor & Pacquiao would fight but now that the Irishman's lost for the third time in as many years, the Filipino fighter has left the discussion table.
"It looked like Conor looked past Dustin & got knocked out," Pacquiao's manager Sean Gibbons told The Sun. "Maybe he had the Senator on his mind. I think the demand for the fight is not there presently."
McGregor first told reporters he'd held "ongoing talks" with Pacquiao for a prospective fight ahead of his UFC 246 thrashing of Donald Cerrone in 2020.
When Pacquiao signed another managerial contract with McGregor's talent agent Audie Attar, the founder of Paradigm SM, it appeared to put them both on a collision course for a bout that could generate $250 million.
Attar said earlier this month that a Pacquiao vs. McGregor super fight in 2021 is "inevitable" because "both fighters want it."
Pacquiao even said he wanted to fight an MMA fighter like McGregor "right now."
But now, McGregor has to kiss that $250 million fight goodbye.
"Conor has some business to clean up and handle in the UFC," said Gibbons. "It's a bummer, it could have been fun for as long as it lasted."
The leader of the Proud Boys, who was arrested in Washington shortly before the Capitol riot, previously worked undercover and cooperated with investigators after he was accused of fraud in 2012, court documents show.
Henry “Enrique” Tarrio helped law enforcement in a variety of investigations nearly a decade ago by providing information & going undercover.
The Proud Boys is a far-right extremist group that seized on the Trump administration’s policies & was a major agitator during earlier protests & the Capitol riot on Jan. 6. The Proud Boys have railed against a “deep state” & work to break down the current government system, & so the revelations of Tarrio as a federal informant came as quite a surprise.
The details of Tarrio’s cooperation were found in a transcript of a 2014 hearing in federal court in Florida regarding his sentence for participating in a scheme involving the resale of diabetic test strips.
The prosecutor & Tarrio’s defense attorney both cited Tarrio’s extensive cooperation in arguing that his sentence of 30 months should be cut. The judge agreed to reduce his sentence to 16 months.
“Your Honor, frankly, in all the years, which is now more than 30 that I’ve been doing this, I’ve never had a client as prolific in terms of cooperating in any respect,” said Tarrio’s lawyer at the time, Jeffrey Feiler.
In an interview with Reuters, Tarrio denied ever cooperating with authorities.
After Tarrio’s 2012 indictment, he helped the government prosecute more than a dozen other people, the federal prosecutor told the judge, according to the transcript. Tarrio’s lawyer said he was the first defendant to cooperate in the case & was also involved in a variety of police undercover operations involving things like anabolic steroids & prescription narcotics.
“From day one, he was the one who wanted to talk to law enforcement, wanted to clear his name, wanted to straighten this out so that he could move on with his life. And he has in fact cooperated in a significant way,” the prosecutor said.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Fort Wayne’s NBC) — An 18-year-old has been arrested after he was caught on surveillance video trying to break into a home with another man on the north side of Fort Wayne.
The attempted break-in happened in the early morning hours of Jan. 18.
The homeowners spoke with Fort Wayne’s NBC about what they heard and discovered once the would-be burglars left.
"There was actually a shell on the ground outside of my house from when he shot himself in the leg, so they went ahead and did their crime scene investigation, took pictures of footprints and the shell, whatnot. And they checked the neighborhood to make sure they weren't still around," Trey Thomas said.
A doorbell camera shows two men trying to kick the door in when a handgun went off in a suspect's pocket, striking him in the leg.
That's when the pair takes off.
About 30 minutes after the attempted break-in, police learned someone walked into Parkview Randallia with a gunshot wound to the leg.
Keanu Cook, 18, is now charged with burglary with a deadly weapon, carrying a handgun without a license with a prior conviction, criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, and criminal mischief.
After Cook was treated for his wounds, police interviewed him, where he reportedly told them he went to the victim's home armed for "money, weed and valuable stuff."
Cook told detectives he wanted to get cash before he turned himself in on another warrant.
He was previously convicted for carrying a handgun without a license.
ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto speaks with Justin Gaethje about the state of the lightweight division after UFC 257, where Dustin Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler beat Dan Hooker in his UFC debut. Gaethje explains why (3:50) he loved seeing McGregor lose and strongly disagrees that “The Notorious” deserves a rematch for the lightweight title. Gaethje also describes his timeline to return to the Octagon and discusses potential fights vs. Chandler, Nate Diaz and Charles Oliveira.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is under fire for old Facebook activity that suggests she was onboard with the killing of Democrat lawmakers ... but she's brushing most of it off as "fake news."
The newly-elected Congresswoman from Georgia has a ton of posts, likes and replies/comments that were still active of late, and dug up by several outlets, including CNN, which say she either co-signed or outright called for the execution of folks like Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton ... just to name a few.
One such post from 2019, before she ran for office and was elected, reportedly shows she liked a comment that read, "a bullet in the head would be quicker" in response to someone speculating how to remove the House Speaker. Screenshots seem to prove ... it's legit.
There are other posts Rep. Greene reportedly liked about FBI agents getting killed ... because they were apparently part of the "deep state" working against Trump.
Her sights were also set on Hillary, it would seem -- she reportedly mentioned her in a couple different posts over the years. In one such case, she agreed with someone on a conspiracy theory about a "hit" Hillary supposedly ordered on a woman who'd seen heinous child-killing content on Anthony Weiner's laptop, and in another ... looping in Obama too.
Somebody reportedly once asked if "H & O" -- apparently referring to Hillary and Obama -- ought to be "hanged" ... to which Greene reportedly replied, "Stage is being set."
In light of all these old posts coming to light, Rep. Greene is commenting, but in a very defiant, Trump-like way.
She writes, "Fake News CNN is writing yet another hit piece on me focused on my time before running for political office. I will never back down to the enemy of the American people and neither should you." Greene goes on to say different people have managed her accounts for her at different points -- and while acknowledging some posts were legit, not everything she engaged online represents her views.
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy called the reports about Greene "disturbing," and said he plans to speak to her about it.
The Louisville Slugger “ Philly Blocks “ Is back with another cinematic visual. This one is Fresh off his “ Mr. 17th EP ”, The Louisville, KY Boss Philly Blocks tag teams on this banger with his fellow Team 563 artist “ Cino Fresh “ to give fans a front row seat to the feature presentation to “ Movies “. So grab the popcorn and something to sip on and enjoy the movie. After your done head over to spinrilla and listen to the full project if you haven’t already (https://tinyurl.com/mr17thep) …. Then stay in touch with Team 563 Boss Philly Blocks via Twitter/IG @phillyblocks , and Cino Fresh on Twitter @Cinofresh IG @Cinofresh1
In this clip, Boosie shared his thoughts on Lil Wayne posing for a photo with Donald Trump before being pardoned. Boosie applauded Wayne and stated that the Young Money rapper was playing chess. After adding that he would've done the same thing as Wayne if he was facing prison time, Boosie also reacted to Kodak Black and Death Row co-founder Harry O also being pardoned. You can hear more of his thoughts on the situation below.
Ganxsta N.I.P. stops by to talk to Donnie Houston about how he grew up and created Horrorcore Hip Hop. N-I-P goes through how he met K-Rino and other members of the South Park Coalition, rapping for Scarface and J Prince in a bathroom leading him to a deal with the legendary Rap-A-Lot Records. This interview is filled is classic stories about his time on the label, his relationship with J Prince and a lot more.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Family members of a father of five who was shot to death on Friday said he was hoping to talk to a teen's parents about his daughter being bullied on social media when he was killed.
Brandon Curtis, 35, was shot more than once in the 10900 block of Spring Brook Pass in the Humble area. The shooter claimed self-defense.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said it happened after Curtis took his daughter to fight other teens. However, Curtis' wife and sisters dispute that claim.
"I don't feel like it's right to let that come out like that. I'm angry. I'm angry about it," said Curtis' wife, Shantal Harris. "I know my husband. My husband is not like that."
"My brother would never put a hand on a child," said Curtis' sister, Jeran Perkins. "We want justice."
Harris said her 15-year-old daughter has been bullied on social media by the same teen boy for nine months. She shared some of the profanity-laced messages with ABC13 on Monday.
A few months ago, Harris said she and her husband spoke with the boy's father about it. She said Friday evening, her husband, daughter and son left to address the issue again.
"When he left from here, my husband went to go resolve the issue. He wanted to go speak to the parent," explained Harris.
However, Curtis never came home. Once outside the teen's house, the confrontation turned violent. Investigators said a 20-year-old man told them Curtis hit his teen brother.
The man got a gun to protect his brother and shot Curtis, authorities said. He died at the scene.
The man was not charged and the case will be referred to a Harris County grand jury, according to the sheriff's office.
Over the weekend, Harris said her daughter received a message that read, "we all had a fight and killed dey (sic) daddy."
"They think it's a joke," said Robinique Miles, Curtis' sister.
"For them to claim self- defense, it's sickening," added Harris.
Curtis' family want the man who shot him charged.
Curtis, a commercial truck driver, worked tirelessly to provide for his family. Now, they feel compelled to fight for him.
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A video posted on social media shows a school resource officer at Liberty High School in Osceola County throwing a female student to the ground.
The video, which has been viewed more than 70,000 times, shows the deputy slamming the student onto the concrete walkway. Moments later, the deputy can be seen placing the student in handcuffs while a second deputy stands over them.
As the handcuffs are being placed, the student does not appear to move.
Tuesday evening, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office released a statement:
Today the sheriff’s office received information from school officials at Liberty High School about a video posted on social media depicting one of our School Resource Officers in a confrontation with a student. The incident appeared to take place between classes in the hallway. In the video, it shows the deputy taking the student to the ground and placing handcuffs on her.
Our office is in the initial stages of our investigation. We are collecting video, witness statements, and relevant information related to the incident.
We know that the School Resource Officer was in the process of trying to stop the student from fighting another student in the hallway when the deputy took her into custody. Once we receive more information related to the incident, we will provide an updated press release.
The Sheriff’s Office did not release information on the student’s condition, the school resource officer who slammed the student, or the deputy who stood over them.
The BRUTALITY of an @OsceolaSheriff deputy body-slamming a student at Liberty HS in Kissimmee FL, hit so hard on concrete she likely lost consciousness! This was NOT a “minimal amount of force necessary” as dictated by the Dept’s use of force policy! We must demand justice! pic.twitter.com/zm8cwQb2gZ
Ashanti joined Ebro in the Morning to discuss her recent Verzuz battle between herself and Keyshia Cole! She discusses what really happened behind the scenes during the recent Verzuz battle, her and Keyshia Cole's relationship, writing "I'm Real (Remix)," and "Ain't It Funny (Remix)," for JLO, the mixup between her and Tamia's versions of Fabolous' hit single "So Into You," the story behind her positive COVID-19 test, and her plans to release a new project!
Police have launched an investigation into a topless photo of Kellyanne Conway’s 16-year-old daughter, Claudia — which the teen says was posted on her mom’s Twitter & cops paid a visit to the family’s New Jersey mansion Tuesday.
Just before noon, 4 officers with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office & Alpine Police Department showed up with papers in hand at the Conways’ brick-faced home in tony Alpine & spent about an hour inside before leaving.
Alpine Police Chief Christopher Belcolle confirmed that a probe was underway.
“An investigation is being conducted. No additional information can be released,” Belcolle said, noting that records regarding juveniles are not made public.
On Monday, Claudia Conway took to her TikTok account to address a topless photo of herself that apparently was tweeted on her mother’s Twitter Fleets.
“Nobody would ever have any photo like that ever,” Claudia said in a since-deleted TikTok. “So, Kellyanne, you’re going to f–king jail.”
On Tuesday, the vocal teen apologized for publicizing the matter, saying she now believed hackers were to blame & calling on members of the public to stop contacting authorities about the matter.
Claudia has risen to social media fame for posting about her frequent clashes with her prominent parents, Kellyanne, once a top adviser to former President Donald Trump, & George, a lawyer who’s railed against Trump in the past.
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