Kay Flock stood earlier than a Manhattan federal choose Tuesday (December 16) as his attorneys argued there was no approach he masterminded a violent Bronx gang attributable to an “intellectual disability” that allegedly left him incapable of main the Sev Side/DOA crew.

The 22-year-old drill rapper, born Kevin Perez, appeared in court docket for sentencing after a March conviction on racketeering conspiracy and weapons fees and was hit with a 30-year bid.

Prosecutors were pushing for a 50-year prison term, accusing him of directing a string of brutal shootings across the Bronx and upper Manhattan between 2020 and 2022.

In a pointy pivot, Flock’s authorized group claimed he lacked the psychological capacity to manage the gang, alleging one other member “managed” him as a substitute, which helped get 20 years shaved off what prosecutors have been gunning for.

The protection’s argument, launched throughout sentencing, sought to cut back the burden of the costs by difficult the notion that Flock was the crew’s ringleader. Federal prosecutors dismissed the declare outright, calling it a “transparent attempt to deflect responsibility.”

They insisted Flock “was the one leading the charge on the street,” pointing to his alleged function in a violent spree that left a number of victims injured or useless.

One of essentially the most critical incidents tied to the case was the December 2021 killing of Hwascar Hernandez outdoors a Hamilton Heights barbershop.

While Flock was acquitted of that homicide cost after his attorneys efficiently argued self-defense, the federal government maintains he orchestrated a broader marketing campaign of violence.

“Over the course of less than 18 months, [Kay Flock] and his fellow gang members engaged in a campaign of violence, deepening existing gang rivalries and instigating new feuds where none had previously existed. Dozens of people were shot at, injured, and even killed during this short period of time, due to the increased gang violence whipped up, in large part, by [Kay Flock],” Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Herman mentioned.

Following his partial authorized win, Flock celebrated on Instagram, writing “I beat the top count” and claiming he “made the judge cry.”

Kay Flock gained notoriety in 2020 together with his breakout drill monitor “PSA” and later collaborated with Cardi B, serving to cement his place in New York’s drill motion.

But his rise in music has been overshadowed by his authorized troubles.

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