Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow, two prominent figures in the Brooklyn drill music scene, find themselves entangled in a web of legal troubles as they face a 140-count indictment, alleging a range of criminal activities. The charges include shootings, gun possession, car thefts for criminal purposes, conspiracy to commit murder, and affiliation with Brooklyn-based gangs. These allegations have sent shockwaves through the music industry and their fan bases.
The Indictment
The 140-count indictment, brought on May 16, named Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow, along with 32 others, as alleged members of Brooklyn-based gangs, specifically the 8 Trey Crips and the affiliated 9 Ways gang. These groups operate in various Brooklyn neighborhoods, including Flatbush, East Flatbush, and Canarsie.
The charges range from second-degree murder and attempted murder to conspiracy, criminal possession of weapons, assault, kidnapping, gang assault, and reckless endangerment. Prosecutors assert that the indicted individuals conspired to eliminate rivals in other gangs, including the Folk Nation Gangster Disciples and the ICG Babiiez gangs.
The Arrest and Arraignment
Following the indictment, Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow were taken into custody and arraigned at Brooklyn’s Supreme Court. This significant development occurred during a press conference led by Brooklyn district attorney Eric Gonzalez, New York City mayor Eric Adams, and police commissioner Keechant L. Sewell.
Prosecutors’ Claims
The district attorney’s office has alleged that Sheff G used the proceeds from his music to fund criminal activities within the gang. He is accused of ordering and financing shootings in Brooklyn, with specific charges related to multiple incidents, including a 2020 mass shooting that resulted in one fatality and five injuries. The prosecution asserts that Sheff G sent text messages confirming the success of these shootings and even celebrated with festive dinners at Manhattan’s Brooklyn Chop House.
Additionally, Sheff G is accused of acting as a getaway driver in a 2021 revenge shooting in Flatbush, which injured two bystanders, an incident purportedly captured on surveillance footage.
Sleepy Hallow’s Role
Sleepy Hallow has been named as a co-conspirator in the indictment. Prosecutors claim to have evidence of him possessing a gun in a video with a co-defendant and appearing in a social media post that disrespected a rival gang’s hand gesture. Furthermore, he is alleged to have engaged in phone calls and text messages with a co-defendant who stole a car, which was later used in the 2020 mass shooting. Sleepy Hallow is accused of attending the celebratory dinner following the incident.
Rap Lyrics and the Prosecution
Prosecutors have emphasized that these arrests are not related to song lyrics, asserting that the investigation did not rely on any lyrics as evidence. However, the indictment does mention lyrics from a Sheff G track and a verse from a defendant’s phone note.
RICO Charges
Despite some confusion, the charges faced by Sheff G, Sleepy Hallow, and their co-defendants are not RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charges. RICO charges are typically federal and are aimed at organized criminal enterprises. In this case, the charges are brought by the State of New York, not the federal government.
Current Status
Both Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow remain incarcerated while awaiting their next court hearing scheduled for August 9. It remains to be seen whether they will be granted bail. Sheff G, who was already serving a two-year sentence at Rikers for a state gun charge, now faces the prospect of an extended period behind bars due to the new charges.
The legal challenges faced by Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow have cast a shadow over their burgeoning careers. As fans and the music industry watch closely, the future remains uncertain for these artists who were on the cusp of even greater success. The legal process will determine the outcome of their cases, and the impact on their lives and music careers is yet to be fully understood.