Back in May of 2024, rapper Sheff G appeared on stage with Donald Trump during a campaign rally despite being caught up in an investigation into gang-related shootings in Brooklyn. Now, he’s being sentenced to serve five years in prison after admitting to using his music-related profits to fuel gang violence in Brooklyn.

Sheff G’s online songs and music videos have millions of views and streams on YouTube and Spotify. According to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, the rapper had plenty of talent and opportunities but still chose to participate in violence rather than building a better future.

Sheff G, also known as Michael Williams, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder and one conspiracy charge. The suspect was accused of being a getaway driver on at least one occasion. In 2021, he reportedly drove three individuals to a rival shooting that injured two innocent bystanders. He’s also accused of gifting money and jewelry to gang members when they battled rivals in Brooklyn. On one occasion, he’s accused of bringing gang members to a lavish steakhouse dinner after a 2020 shooting that killed one and injured five. After serving his time behind bars, he will be required to serve an additional five years on supervised release.

This strange case doesn’t only involve Sheff G but also about 30 members of the 8 Trey Crips and 9 Ways gangs. Overall, at least 23 individuals have pleaded guilty to various charges. Seven cases remain pending.

Tegan Chambers, a rapper who goes by the name of Sleepy Hallow, also appeared on stage with President Trump and Sheff G on May 23, 2024. Chambers was also sentenced to serve a year in jail after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge.

Gang-Related Violence in Brooklyn

In Brooklyn, gang-related violence is taken very seriously. Any criminal charge you face that gets tied to a gang or gang-related activities will automatically increase in severity. What’s more, under New York laws, specific felonies don’t require proof that the situation involved a named, certified street gang. Under the law, it’s enough for three or more people to team up collectively against another person for it to be considered ‘gang-related’.

Federal laws also make certain offenses more serious when they involve gangs. Federal RICO laws, for instance, make gang-related murder, kidnapping, and drug trafficking charges punishable by up to life in prison.

Federal law also adds a sentencing enhancement of up to 10 years for any crimes committed with the intent of furthering a street gang’s activities.

If you ever get accused of committing a crime that might be connected to gang-related activity, then it’s imperative that you seek out the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Our team here at the Bukh Law Firm is prepared to advocate for you and help you achieve the best possible legal outcome. Schedule a free case review with our team now by leaving your contact details on our online form.