Finebeats

According to reports, one of the key witnesses in the trail against Czar Entertainment president James Rosemond has been offered a plea in return for handing over the missing $100k.

The witness, Khalil Abdullah, former associate to Jimmy and one of the top members of the outfit known as the Rosemond Organization is alleged to have entrusted the missing $100k to an unknown associate that he cannot locate.

If the plea deal is to be completed, Khalil Abdullah must hand over the $100K that was allegedly stolen from the Rosemond Organization. It was this theft that aided in stepping up the current investigation into the Rosemond Organization drug trafficking conspiracy. 

It is believed that the organization used FedEx and various other couriers to ferry drugs and money between New York and the West Coast.

Khalil Abdullah was the person that originally contacted the lead prosecutor, Todd Kaminsky, stating that he had information on the conspiracy. Abdulla is alleged to have faxed a letter on April 25th 2011 containing details about a drugs shipment that was being sent to a recording studio in New York using a ‘road case’ or hard case for musical equipment.

When agents seized the package they reportedly found $790,000 in $20 bills. This helped Kaminsky to bring forward the indictment against the investigations main target, James Rosemond.

Abdullah is currently facing 10 years in prison for the part he played in the drugs operation and is trying to reduce his sentence by testifying against his former associate. 

You can read more about the story so far below:

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Buju Banton, reggae singer and all round great musician was today (23rd June 2011) sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in an alleged Cocaine deal in Miami during December, 2009.

Buju Banton, real name Mark Myrie was convicted for introducing his friend to a dealer that turned out to be a confidential informant. He has been found guilty of conspiracy to possess, with the intent to distribute cocaine.

The evidence that finally led to the conviction included a hidden video camera that recorded Buju inspecting a Cocaine shipment in 2009 by dipping his finger into the package and tasting it.

Banton has already been tried for his involvement in the deal but no verdict was reached as the trial ended in a hung jury. This was mainly down to the controversial role of the informant who was paid a $50,000 commission after the arrest.

There was also a weapons charge agains Buju but this was dismissed. This could easily have seen the singer serve another five years on top of his 10 year sentence. It is said that with good behaviour, the reggae singer could be released from prison after six years.

It was also reported by the associated press that Buju prepared a statement prior to the verdict which was read out by his attorney, David Markus. 

“The days that lie ahead are filled with despair, but I have courage and grace and I'm hopeful, and that is sufficient to carry me through."

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James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond Arrest Update

We reported yesterday on the arrest of Jimmy Henchman by New York police near Park Ave and 21st Street. You can check out the rest of the story here.

James Rosemond appeard in Broklyn Federal Court yesterday to plead against multiple charges for distribution of Cocaine. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Rosemond was denied bail by the judge as there was a high flight risk. He is currently awaiting trial at the Metropolitan Department Correctional (MDC) Facility in Brooklyn, New York.

In an update to our previous account of events surrounding his capture it has been reported that Jimmy was carrying five BlackBerries, an iPad, two false drivers licenses and a fake passport. DEA agents also found a plane ticket and believed that Rosemond was planning to flee the US for the Bahamas on June 24th.

It is alleged that Rosemond has been dealing drugs as recently as the 11th of May this year. A witness, Winston Harris, wore a wire during a police operation that was monitoring an alleged drug deal. Harris also allowed agents to monitor the Czar Entertainment CEO’s Emails.

One of the intercepted communications reportedly shows Rosemond setting up a deal to sell over a kilo of cocaine in Brooklyn, but the deal could not go ahead because his car was not working.

Rosemond’s lawyer, Jeffery Lichman, has vowed to fight all charges against his client, including the accusation the he arranged the murder of a G-Unit associate, Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher.

Lichman gave a statement to the Wall Street Journal during which he stated:

“This indictment was built on the backs of witnesses that have been threatened and bribed by federal prosecutors, and I plan to expose all of it. If the government wants a fight, they’re going to get a fight.”

In yet another twist, Rosemond is being held at the same facility as Dexter Isaac, the convicted murderer that has confessed to the 1994 shooting of Tupac Shakur. Isaac alleges that Rosemond paid him $2,500 for the robbery which ignited the infamous war between Tupac and Biggie.

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Dancehall  artist Buju Banton’s sentencing date has been set for June 16th, on charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

The Grammy award winning artist faces up to 15 years in prison on drugs and weapons charges after being videotaped by D.E.A agents completing a drugs transaction back in 2009.

Press reports state “Banton’s attorney, David Markus, has asked for the singer to be released from custody pending his appeal, Markus also has filed a motion asking the court to acquit Banton or grant him a new trial.”

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