Casanova has been denied bail in his federal racketeering case.
A judge ruled on Thursday (Jan. 28) that the Brooklyn rapper, whose real name is Caswell Senior, presented a danger to the community and denied his $2.5 million bail, citing his criminal history and “rampant evidence of guns, drugs, and violence.”
“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,” said Manhattan Federal Judge Philip Halpern, according to the New York Daily News.
Casanova, along with 17 others, is accused of being part of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation, a ruthless street gang that “committed murder, shootings, robberies, and assaults against their rivals and against fellow members of Gorilla Stone.” In early December, he surrendered to authorities and was taken into custody by the FBI.
“[Casanova] is a full fledged, committed leader of the gang,” Assistant U.S. Attorney David Felton said during Thursday’s court hearing.
Defense attorney James Kousouros argued that the government’s case against Casanova was based on testimony from other accused gangsters, along with photos of him with large amounts of weed, but the judge ultimately denied the bail request.
Casanova was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering, one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possession of a firearm for drug-trafficking. Prosecutors say he held a position near the top of Gorilla Stone. If convicted, he faces a minimum of 15 years in prison.