music-videos-songs-about-opps-submitted-by-federal-prosecutors-seeking-life-sentence/”>Kay Flock, the Bronx rapper born Kevin Perez, was sentenced this week to 30 years in federal jail. He was convicted on fees tied to racketeering conspiracy, tried homicide, and firearms offenses. The sentence, which additionally contains 5 years of supervised launch, follows a March verdict. Prosecutors mentioned this verdict linked Kay Flock to a sample of gang-related violence. He is 22 years previous.

Federal authorities framed the case as a obligatory intervention in a cycle of retaliatory shootings. This violence endangered the broader group. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton mentioned Kay Flock used each violence and visibility to mission worry throughout the Bronx. “Kevin Perez employed violence and his celebrity status to instill fear throughout the Bronx,” Clayton mentioned. He added that the conduct put bystanders in danger and contributed to instability within the neighborhood.

Clayton additionally pointed to Kay Flock’s rise in music as amplifying the affect of his actions. He mentioned lyrics tied to Kay Flock had been used to show intent and affiliation. The artist’s rising platform, he argued, intensified his notoriety. Law enforcement officers praised the end result as a step towards curbing organized violence.

Kay Flock responded to the sentence with a quick public assertion, thanking supporters and members of the court docket. “I want to thank everyone who stood by me and kept me in their prayers,” he mentioned. He additionally acknowledged the choose and his lawyer, Michael Ashley. “Even though we are still fighting because it ain’t over until Allah says it’s over.”

Defense disputes sentence and proof, plans attraction

Michael Ashley, Kay Flock’s protection lawyer, challenged each the size of the sentence and the federal government’s authorized method. He mentioned Kay Flock had beforehand been provided a 30-year time period tied to a homicide cost for which he was later acquitted. He known as the present punishment extreme by comparability. Ashley argued that looking for a decade or extra in jail for a capturing wherein nobody was injured pushed past what the information supported.

He additionally objected to the prosecution’s use of rap lyrics in court docket, describing the apply as inappropriate and deceptive. Ashley mentioned the federal government relied not solely on Kay Flock’s music but additionally on lyrics from different artists to assemble its narrative. He mentioned this tactic blurred the road between inventive expression and felony proof. According to Ashley, such arguments risked distorting creative work into proof of intent.

Looking forward, Ashley confirmed that the protection plans to proceed preventing the case. He mentioned his workforce has reviewed the document for potential authorized points and intends to file an attraction. For now, Kay Flock stays in federal custody because the case strikes into its subsequent part.