Casanova’s Imprisonment: Rapper Expresses Gratitude to Tory Lanez for Yearlong Financial Support During Legal Battle

Rapper Casanova, whose real name is Caswell Senior, shared a heartfelt message from prison on his Instagram story on September 17. He expressed gratitude to fellow artist Tory Lanez for providing financial support while he navigates his legal situation. Casanova’s message read:

“@torylanez you are one of the realest ni**as I ever met. How you in jail looking out for a ni**a in jail? Sent me enough money to last me for a whole year lol. I love ya heart, I love ya soul. Free us til you see us!”

Casanova was sentenced to 188 months in prison in June 2024 after pleading guilty to charges under the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) and a drug-related charge involving the distribution of 100 kg of marijuana.

According to Billboard, he also confessed to his role in a shootout at a Miami party in July 2020, where he severely injured a man.

On the other hand, Tory Lanez has been incarcerated since August 2023 due to his involvement in the 2020 shooting incident involving fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion. Lanez was sentenced to ten years in prison after being convicted of multiple charges, including assault with a firearm and illegal possession of a firearm.

Casanova Convicted of a RICO Charge and Drug Offense in 2022

On June 27, a federal judge in New York found Casanova guilty of charges under the RICO Act as well as illegal drug use. This verdict came after he was one of 18 individuals charged for their alleged connections to the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation gang in December 2020.

Prosecutors asserted that the gang was responsible for committing significant acts of violence throughout New York City, with RICO charges stemming from purported gang-related crimes including the murder of a young boy from Poughkeepsie and fraudulent activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to sentencing, federal officials requested that Casanova receive a stringent sentence ranging from 188 to 235 months.

In a statement, the federal government remarked:

“He did not simply pretend to be violent in his music or on social media. Unfortunately, he walked the walk. Senior’s offense conduct is not about a few song lyrics or how he marketed his music. Rather, he carried out an array of violent activity and significant narcotics trafficking that benefited some of the gang’s most violent and impactful members.”

Meanwhile, Casanova’s defense team argued for leniency, indicating that he had distanced himself from gang activities as his music career progressed.

Casanova’s attorneys stated before the sentencing:

“The fact is that Mr. Senior stayed in this gang as it furthered his rap career. As he gained moderate success and then a recording contract with Roc Nation, he increasingly separated himself from the gang’s activities despite remaining a member.”

Ultimately, in June 2024, Casanova was sentenced to 188 months in prison (approximately 15 years). Following his sentencing, US attorney Damien Williams noted:

“Caswell Senior is not just a notorious recording artist, but he is also a high-profile leader of a vicious street gang and a magnet for gang violence. Gang life is not worth it and will lead to many years in prison.”

In response, Casanova’s lawyer, James Kousouros, conveyed that both Casanova and his legal team were satisfied with the outcome, as the sentence was at the “lowest end of the guidelines”for prison time.

Prior to his legal troubles, Casanova was gaining recognition as an emerging star in the hip-hop scene, having signed a deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. His studio album, Behind These Scars, propelled him to number 3 on Billboard’s Next Big Sound chart in 2019.

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