Casanova’s Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Leaders Found Guilty Of Criminal Conspiracy
The federal case against rapper Casanova and the Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods appears to be nearing a close, as the last two defendants in the indictment have been convicted on multiple conspiracy charges.
On Thursday (Nov. 16), the Justice Department of the Southern District of New York announced that Dwight Reid and Christopher Erskine, whom authorities named as the two highest-ranking members of the Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods, were each convicted of one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of narcotics conspiracy.
The racketeering offense carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, whereas Reid and Erskine will have to serve minimum mandatory sentences of 25 years and 10 years on the narcotics charge, according to federal sentencing guidelines. The last of 21 defendants to be convicted in the case, Reid and Erskine were described by the government as threats to the community whose reign of terror has come to end.
“Dwight Reid and Christopher Erskine are the two highest-ranking members of Gorilla Stone, a ruthless gang, and are responsible for terrible violent acts and trafficking dangerous narcotics across the country and state, including throughout the New York State prison system,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. “They now stand convicted of their crimes and will no longer be able to inflict harm on the people of our District.”
Deemed “a brutally violent street and prison gang that operates across the country,” the Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods were based out of Brooklyn, with strongholds in Flatbush and Crown Heights, among other areas of the borough. Casanova, who was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after being convicted of multiple charges, including robbery, drug trafficking, and gun-related offenses, has since denounced his ties to the gang.
Casanova broke out on the rap scene in 2016 with his debut single “Don’t Run” and would release additional hits such as “So Brooklyn” featuring Fabolous and “2AM” with Tory Lanez and Davido. He also collaborated with stars such as 50 Cent, Chris Brown, G-Eazy, French Montana, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and more.
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