Casanova, the Brooklyn rapper whose legal name is Caswell Senior, is serving a federal prison sentence of 188 months, roughly 15 years and 8 months, for racketeering conspiracy and marijuana distribution conspiracy tied to his role in the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation gang. Judge Philip M. Halpern imposed the sentence on June 27, 2023, in the Southern District of New York. He was also ordered to forfeit $50,000 and to serve four years of supervised release after prison.1United States Department of Justice. Recording Artist Casanova Sentenced To 188 Months In Prison For Gang-Related Racketeering And Narcotics Offenses
What He Pleaded Guilty To
On May 11, 2022, Casanova pleaded guilty to two counts: racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. Prosecutors said he personally distributed between 100 and 400 kilograms of his own branded “2x” marijuana over about nine months.1United States Department of Justice. Recording Artist Casanova Sentenced To 188 Months In Prison For Gang-Related Racketeering And Narcotics Offenses
The original December 2020 indictment had charged him with racketeering conspiracy, drug distribution conspiracy, and a firearms offense, alongside 17 other alleged members of the Bloods-affiliated gang. In exchange for the plea, the government dismissed additional charges, including attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon. Without the plea deal, Casanova faced a potential maximum of 60 years. The two counts he admitted to still carried a mandatory minimum of five years.1United States Department of Justice. Recording Artist Casanova Sentenced To 188 Months In Prison For Gang-Related Racketeering And Narcotics Offenses
Why the Sentence Landed at 188 Months
Several factors pushed the sentence well beyond the five-year minimum. Prosecutors described Casanova not as a celebrity affiliate but as “a high-profile leader of a vicious street gang and a magnet for gang violence,” alleging his fame helped recruit members and expand the organization nationally. Federal sentencing guidelines treat organizers and leaders more harshly than foot soldiers. Specific acts of violence he admitted to also weighed in, including a shooting in Florida on July 5, 2020, and a robbery in New York City on August 5, 2018. The scale of the drug conspiracy added further weight to the guidelines calculation.1United States Department of Justice. Recording Artist Casanova Sentenced To 188 Months In Prison For Gang-Related Racketeering And Narcotics Offenses
The guilty plea likely kept the sentence below what he would have received at trial. Reports indicate Casanova also sent a letter to Judge Halpern renouncing his gang ties, though how much weight that letter carried is not publicly known.
When Could Casanova Be Released
Casanova has said publicly that he expects to serve about 65% to 70% of his sentence. That figure does not match how the federal prison system actually works. There is no parole in federal custody. The main mechanism for early release is good conduct time, which lets inmates earn up to 54 days of credit per year of the imposed sentence.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 3624 – Release of a Prisoner
That credit works out to roughly a 15% reduction. Federal inmates with clean disciplinary records typically serve about 85% of their sentence, not 65%. On a 188-month sentence, maximum good conduct time would cut about 28 months, leaving roughly 160 months of actual time.3Federal Bureau of Prisons. An Overview of the First Step Act
The 2018 First Step Act created a second path to reducing time in secure custody. Eligible inmates can earn additional credits by completing recidivism-reduction programs, which can be applied toward transfer to home confinement or a halfway house. The law excludes inmates convicted of certain offenses, including violent crimes and high-level drug offenses.3Federal Bureau of Prisons. An Overview of the First Step Act Because Casanova’s racketeering conviction involved a shooting and a robbery, he may not qualify for those extra credits.
Casanova surrendered to authorities on December 3, 2020, and has been in federal custody ever since. That pre-sentencing time counts. Assuming he earns the full good conduct reduction and accounting for the roughly 30 months served before sentencing, a realistic release window is around 2034. The Bureau of Prisons makes the final calculation and can adjust it for disciplinary issues or other factors.
Forfeiture and Supervised Release
The sentence includes a $50,000 forfeiture. Federal forfeiture in racketeering cases targets proceeds gained through the criminal enterprise, so this amount represents what the government identified as connected to his gang-related activity.1United States Department of Justice. Recording Artist Casanova Sentenced To 188 Months In Prison For Gang-Related Racketeering And Narcotics Offenses
After prison, Casanova will serve four years of supervised release, the federal equivalent of probation. Standard conditions include drug and alcohol testing, a firearms ban, permission requirements before leaving the judicial district, and unannounced visits by a supervision officer. For someone with a gang-related conviction, restrictions on associating with anyone who has a criminal record are especially significant, and violating any condition can send him back to prison. He will also be expected to make good-faith efforts to pay the $50,000 forfeiture.4eCFR. 28 CFR 2.204 – Conditions of Supervised Release