Rapper Bobby Schmurda, the man behind the popular Shmoney dance—a craze all over America for a moment—copped a plea for seven years in prison just days before his trial on conspiracy and weapons charges was set to begin.
The Brooklyn, N.Y.-based artist, whose real name is Ackquille Pollard, was facing 25 to life as prosecutors maintained he was the “driving force” behind the GS9 gang, alleged to be responsible for dealing drugs and several Brooklyn murders.
The New York Daily News reports that Pollard pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of criminal possession of a weapon, which the rapper maintained was a prop for a video.
Pollard’s debut EP, Shmurda She Wrote, was released in November 2014, and its lead single, “Hot N—ga,” was the soundtrack for the Shmoney dance.
One month after the album’s release, Pollard and 15 members of GS9 were arrested in the conspiracy bust, which netted 69 guns.
The Daily News reports that two of his GS9 co-defendants—Chad "Rowdy Rebel" Marshall, 24, and Nicholas "Montana Flea" McCoy, 21—also took the same deal after loudly debating it with their lawyers in the courtroom.
A fourth defendant who was facing more charges, Santino "Cueno" Broderick, was offered a 15-year deal. Broderick turned down the deal and will stand trial next week.
Those who have been convicted so far have gotten far stiffer sentences than the ones agreed to Friday. One of them, Rashid Derissant, 24, was sentenced to 98 years behind bars in May. Alex Crandon received 53 1/2 years that same month.
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