this seems highly possible from all recent reports. buzz around the D, yeah the home of the bmf, is that there was a right your own ticket contract out on all snitches from the bmf honchos. Why tho would Shakir take himself out, for a few years in jail ? was he hiding something bigger that he couldn’t contain in jail ? there’s just so much on this whole story that’s loose as hot jello; we’re compelled to keep it on our radar. when more details about motive are connected, no doubt the bmf name will be a part of the final round out.
Our Prayers go out to Shakir’s Family and clients, who will undoubtably miss his flash and style.
Stewart is credited with helping to put the Atlanta music scene on the map through his party promotions firm and the Noontime Entertainment production company that helped bring producer Jazze Pha to the front. He rose quickly during a four-year stint at Def Jam, capped off by his ascension to the top spot earlier this year, after Jay-Z’s departure from the label in December. Stewart was instrumental in signing such current Def Jam stars as Young Jeezy and Rick Ross.
One of Stewart’s longtime friends, Christopher Hicks, said he last spoke to Stewart about a week ago. “Whatever happened over the past 24 hours is not a testament to who we all know,” Hicks told the Journal-Constitution on Sunday. “He was a one-of-a-kind individual. If you looked on his BlackBerry [stamp] it said, ‘One of one.’ … I mean, Shakir is the kind of guy who would get dressed up for a party none of us were invited to. … He had no doubt he was getting in. He was a ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’ kind of guy. Always.”
The Hummer limousine seized from the drug-dealing Black Mafia Family almost four years ago had been sold at auction, then sold three times more. It had been carrying teenagers to proms and brides and grooms to weddings.
But as federal officials prepared for a June trial, they “debriefed” other BMF members and learned agents missed something when they searched the Hummer.
U.S. Attorney’s Office
The Hummer H2 stretch limousine was seized in 2004 during a raid of one of the Black Mafia Family’s stash houses in northwest Atlanta.
More photos of the Hummer
In August, agents tracked down the car, looked underneath the seats and found $875,000 in cash and seven brand new semi-automatic weapons, believed to be proceeds from BMF cocaine transactions.
The four “innocent owners,” according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McBurney, knew nothing.
Information about the money and guns found in two “traps” was discussed this week as members of the BMF charged in Atlanta were sentenced.
Federal agents seized the black 2003 Hummer H2 stretch limousine in November 2004 when they raided one of BMF’s stash houses, “Space Mountain” on Paran Place in an upper-class northwest Atlanta neighborhood.
BMF members had cleaned out and fled the house, but they left the Hummer because they did not have keys to a car blocking the limousine.
McBurney said agents searched the limo and nothing found. The limo changed hands several times, finally ending up with Atlanta’s Comfort Limousine.
The Hummer was one of the extravagances BMF enjoyed with profits from its violent drug organization.
Brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory created BMF in the mid-1980s by selling crack cocaine in Detroit. Within a few years, the BMF controlled crack and cocaine distribution in 11 states. Atlanta became a key city in the nationwide organization, according to prosecutors.
BMF began to unravel in November 07′ when the brothers pleaded guilty in Detroit. Sixteen people were indicted in Atlanta, and of those 11 have pleaded guilty; 10 were sentenced on Wednesday and Thursday. Indictments have been returned in Orlando, Louisville, Greenville and Los Angeles
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:42:49 Z
Nine members of famed criminal organization the Black Mafia Family (BMF) were sentenced to prison time in Atlanta yesterday (October 29) for their role in the massive cocaine and crack distribution throughout the nation’s biggest cities.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, nine BMF individuals were handed sentences ranging from at least four years to over 16 1/2 behind bars. Upon their release, each one will immediately be placed on probation.
Requesting U.S. District Judge Orinda Evans for enrollment in an intensive drug program in prison to help reduce their time, along with apologizing to the families they have affected, the group were given their terms for over nine hours in court.
Beginning in the 80s by brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory by selling drugs in Detroit schools and later expanding throughout Los Angeles and Atlanta. BMF took a legitimate role in hip-hop around 2000 setting up their label, Black Mafia Family Entertainment, and their flagship artist, Bleu DaVinci (born Barima McKnight).
After the brothers pleaded guilty in November 2007 to various drug charges, more members began to testify along with 16 who were indicted in Atlanta.
DaVinci, known for collaborating on records with established artists like Fabolous, Mistah Fab and Young Jeezy, was sentenced to five years behind bars for drug conspiracy.
“Eighty thousand sorries won’t work, and I know that,” he told AJC. “I have to own up to my actions.”
Another member, Franklin Nash, is scheduled to be sentenced today (October 30, 2008).
(Baller Status) Friday – October 31, 2008
Words by Allen Starbury
Bleu DaVinci (Photo:
BMF Entertainment)
Nine lower ranking members of the Black Mafia Family (BMF) were sentenced to prison on Wednesday (October 29, 2008), for their part in a criminal organization that distributed cocaine nationwide.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the day in court took almost nine hours, in which members of BMF were handed down sentences one-by-one by U.S. District Judge Orinda Evans.
Before receiving their sentences each member apologized to their families, and most accepted responsibility for their actions. Some even teared up.
Each got prison time — ranging from four years to more than 16 1/2 years for drug conspiracy, and will receive probation after being released.
To help reduce their sentences, they each asked the judge to recommend them for an intensive drug program in prison.
Rapper Bleu DaVinci (real name: Barima P. McKnight), who was the flagship artist for the BMF record label, was sentenced to just over five years.
“Eighty thousand sorries won’t work, and I know that,” the rapper said. “I have to own up to my actions.”
DaVinci, originally from Carson, California, was indicted on drug conspiracy charges last year, one month before BMF heads, Big Meech and Southwest T, were found guilty of running the criminal organization.
The Black Mafia Family was started by two brothers — Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory — who sold crack cocaine in Detroit high schools during the mid-1980s. Within a few years, their BMF organization had moved into 11 states, making money through distribution rather than direct street sales.
Their organization generated hundreds of millions of dollars from 1990 to 2005, affording them luxurious homes, cars, boats, and jewelry. Some of their money was filtered through legitimate business such as their BMF Entertainment record label.
In August, the Flenory brothers were handed down a 30 year sentence for running their large scale cocaine trafficking ring.
After they pleaded guilty, others followed. Sixteen were indicted in Atlanta.
November 3rd, 2008 | Author: Jake Paine
Last Thursday, HipHopDX reported on Bleu Davinci’s sentencing for drug conspiracy charges [click to read]. On Saturday, the Atlanta-based rapper and actor contacted DX from a federal detention facility in Lovejoy, Georgia, to clarify other reports, that had implicated the onetime BMF Entertainment/Koch Records artist had provided testimony for a reduced sentence.
“It’s definitely not factual,” Bleu said of the misleading reports on other websites, blogs and newspapers. “I been hearing something about me cooperating with the government or something like that. That’s [definitely] not true.”
With a really optimistic tone, the rapper explained, “What actually happened to me was, I was sentenced from the guidelines of the criminal history category offense level, [established] by the US government. How that goes is basically, they charged me with one count of conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison.”
He went further in depth, “When you don’t have a criminal history, you get what’s called a safety valve. What a safety valve does is to go outside of the guidelines for sentencing purposes. I was looking at 235-293 months starting off. The government came up with their little points scale, so they started me at offense level 38. They charged me responsible for 150 or more kilos of cocaine, which started my offense level at 38. What happened is, they considered me not to be an orchestrator or a leader, so I got a minor role reduction, which took four points off of my offense level, to a 34. I was then issued a safety valve – another two point reduction, which took me to a level 32, which is 121-151 months. I also got accepted for responsibility, when I signed my plea, which took another three levels off. That took me to a 29, which was 87-109 [months]. Once they [removed the gun charge], they got another two levels down, to 27.”
This is where media outlets misinterpreted the sentence reduction. “So when I walked into the court room, I ended up with 70-87 months.” After further consideration from the judge, Bleu’s sentence was cut to 64 months, and as he stresses – “With no cooperation.”
Bleu’s affiliation with Black Mafia Family as an artist also caused the media to jump to conclusions. “They seen Meech get 30, they seen other people getting 16s, 12s, and eights and stuff like that. But most of those people have criminal history.”
After artists like C-Bo and 2Pac had lyrics and their association with rap music used against them in sentencing, Bleu Davinci’s entertainment helped him in his hearing. “Other people had prior gun charges, prior drug charges; I had a clean record. That’s where I come off at, besides me being in entertainment. The judge took apart for herself.” Davinci and family members provided testimony of his career, along with fan letters, pay stubs and other documentation to show his entertainer career.
The artist also spoke of the sentence’s effect on his rap career. “I don’t intend on it stopping me at all. To me, it fuels my fire. I made a mistake. Everybody’s allowed to make mistakes, and everybody should get a chance to correct themselves. Once I’m released, I plan on correcting my mistakes and going full-fledged back into entertainment, whether it’s music, movies, production or club promotion.” “I gotta be doing the same thing when I come home in 100% positive manner and 100% legal manner.” He added that he has a large collection of unreleased material, but did not confirm any official upcoming releases.
Having been serving time since December 15, 2007, Bleu’s remaining time is ticking away quickly, as he may be relocated to a camp, followed by a potential stint in a halfway house. “[The judge] also recommended a drug program for me, so I can get off the weed,” he said.
Before ending the conversation with DX, Bleu spoke candidly to fans and young supporters. “I don’t want my boys growing up toting guns, selling drugs. I don’t want them going through that life. I obviously didn’t have to go through that life. This is something that I chose for myself, which I’ll reiterate it, was a mistake on my behalf. I just want to tell the fans and the kids to stick to some positivity.”
This is deep – America’s Most Wanted even profiled the BMF, Gaaawddd,,
U.S. Marshals in Detroit are seeking Paul Buford, a known member of the Black Mafia Family, on two outstanding warrants.
For 20 years, authorities say members of the Detroit-based gang “The Black Mafia Family” have found themselves under the suspicion of law enforcement for dozens of crimes committed throughout the nation.
The leaders of the gang, brothers Terry and Demetrius Flenory, have been arrested, pled guilty, and sentenced to decades in prison for the felonies they’ve masterminded.
According to Marshals, the Flenory brothers operated the Black Mafia Family under the guise of the rap label “BMF Entertainment.”
BMF Entertainment acted as a legitimate facade for their operation, in an attempt to keep cops from noticing the large amounts of money flowing in and out of their organization.
But nothing could hide the flash of their bling or the gold on their grills: federal agents aren’t stupid, and they knew that, sooner or later, the BMF would come undone.
Since the Flenorys will be imprisoned for years to come, the baton has been passed, and the leadership of the criminal organization has changed hands.
As of April 2008, an investigation spearheaded by the Detroit office of the DEA has resulted in the indictments of 64 BMF members, as well as the seizure of approximately $20 million in assets. It all stems from charges alleging their cooperation and participation in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute thousands of kilograms of cocaine, among other improprieties.
While 64 ‘Family’ members have been taken down in the first wave of arrests, one man has managed to evade the wide net cast by DEA officials. His name is Paul Buford, and Marshals need your help to take him off the streets once and for all.
They describe Buford as a suave charmer with plenty of charisma.
Dangerous Felon Known To Live Life Of Luxury
While Buford isn’t the high-profile BMF ringleader like Terry and Demetrius Flenory were, police say he’s still a big player in the crime syndicate and needs to be put behind bars, according to U.S. Marshals in Detroit.
Buford is currently wanted on a federal warrant for conspiracy to sell large quantities of cocaine, and another for conspiracy to launder money.
But not surprisingly, these aren’t the first crimes he’s ever been wanted for. In his past, Buford’s been charged with assault & battery, assault with a firearm, domestic violence, and multiple counts of larceny, to name just a few of his prior alleged indiscretions.
Now, he’s wanted for more of the same, only this time, the charges would land him in prison for a substantially longer time than he’s ever faced before: up to 20 years.
Deputy U.S. Marshals on the Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team tell us that Buford’s eluded them for nearly two years, and they hope this latest push for publicity will help them nail him down for good.
They describe Buford as a suave charmer with plenty of charisma who’s known to drive expensive cars and wear top-of-the-line threads. He has expensive taste, and cops say he’s one of the top members of the BMF’s west coast bureau.
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Information valid as of last update.
Conspiracy to Distribute 5 Kilograms Or More of Cocaine, Detroit, MI; May 11, 2006
Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, Detroit, MI; May 11, 2006
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and lest we forget Jacob the Jeweler who has already begun serving his lil bit,
AP
June 25, 2008
The New York businessman known in the hip-hop world as “Jacob the Jeweler” was sentenced yesterday to 2 ½ years in federal prison for lying to investigators looking into a multistate drug ring.
As part of a deal with federal prosecutors, Jacob Arabov, 43, pleaded guilty in October to falsifying records and giving false statements.
“I feel ashamed that I broke the laws of this country, a country that has been so good for me,” he told US District Judge Avern Cohn.”I will carry this shame for the rest of my life.”
The plea deal called for a recommended prison sentence of three years and one month to three years and 10 months in prison.
Cohn shaved seven months off the minimum term, citing Arabov’s extensive philanthropic work.
Arabov immigrated from Soviet Uzbekistan at 14 and built a successful New York jewelry business. He was arrested in 2006 on accusations that he and others conspired to launder $270 million in drug profits for the “Black Mafia Family,” a Detroit ring. The feds also say he tried to hide ownership of part of $5 million in seized jewelry
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You are probably wondering what this video has to do with the BMF – wellllll JEEZY, that’s what. Jeezy gives a shout out to BMF in His Tune; and JayZ gives a shout out to both Jeezy and BMF; so apparently there is more of a connection to the BMF; Than just music, people said just that in court recently. the final case was heard and that testimony locked the door on Big Meech and Southwest T for up to 30 years.
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