In coming weeks, a federal judge is expected to issue a ruling on a motion by Casanova's attorneys to free the Brooklyn rapper on a $2.5 million bond put up by family and friends.
U.S. District Judge Phillip Halpern is expected to rule on the motion by Feb. 1, when Casanova and several co-defendants are next due to appear in court. Casanova and 17 others were indicted last year as part of a RICO case centered on the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation gang, described by prosecutors as a subset of the Bloods.
Casanova's attorneys submitted court filings this week asking for Halpern to release Casanova on the $2.5 million bond, put up through cash and various properties by 13 people described as close friends and family members (their identities are redacted from court records). Federal prosecutors filed a response motion in which they describe Casanova as an active Gorilla Stone gang member, citing his lyrics, Instagram postings, and recorded conversations with an alleged gang leader as proof.
Unlike many state courts, the federal bond system allows a judge to keep defendants locked up for the duration of their cases if prosecutors can show they're either a flight risk or a danger to the community. In this case, prosecutors have argued Casanova is both.
But Casanova attorneys argued that prosecutors are labeling him a gang member simply because of his lyrics, adding that he "vehemently denies trafficking in drugs or possessing a weapon in relation to any criminal activity."
They also argued that Casanova wouldn't go into hiding if he were released because he knows full well the feds would come after his family members' property.
"With their dependents, there are well over 20 men, women, and children who will be affected by the consequent indebtedness to the Government and the ensuing financial ruin that would follow if (Casanova) were to flee or violate any conditions of his bond," Casanova's attorneys wrote. "They know him best, and each of them has expressed their unequivocal certainty that Mr. Senior would never put their financial lives and well-being at risk."
In their response, prosecutors included pictures of firearms from Casanova's Instagram, which they wrote he used to "shamelessly promote a violent street gang." They added that text messages seized from his iCloud included messages that he was selling marijuana for "1,700 a qt" and other communications with Gorilla Stone leaders.
In another written communication, Casanova allegedly told Gorilla Stone members that failing to show up to a mandatory meeting “will be taken as A Direct act of Disrespect sic) & You will Be Wiped Down Immediately.”
"'Wiped Down,' is a term used by Gorilla Stone members to refer to formally kicking someone out of the gang, a process that often includes violence against the member being kicked out," prosecutors wrote.
Unlike some of his co-defendants, who face murder charges, Casanova is not charged with crimes of violence. He was indicted on counts of racketeering, trafficking controlled substances, and use of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Still, if convicted as charged, he would be eligible for a life sentence.
Written by Nate Gartrell
