Kay Flock faces mounting legal troubles beyond his 2021 murder case.
On Thursday, the United States Justice Department announced the 19-year-old rapper—born Kevin Perez—has been indicted on racketeering conspiracy charges. He and seven others are accused of running “Sev Side” and “Third Side,” Bronx-based street gangs that allegedly carried out a series of violent crimes, including attempted murder, use of a firearm resulting in death, as well as assault with a dangerous weapon.
New York officials said between 2019 and 2022, the street gangs teamed up together to “terrorize” their Belmont neighborhood and surrounding areas by “committing indiscriminate shootings against” their rivals. Prosecutors also claimed the alleged gang members boasted about their violent crimes on social media and music records, “which referenced real acts of violence.”
“Over a span of several years, the members of these gangs allegedly terrorized neighborhoods in the Bronx and Manhattan by killing and shooting other people,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a press release. “Through these charges, we will hold Sev Side and Third Side members responsible for plaguing our communities with gun violence.”
The indictment was announced as Flock was in state custody for the alleged murder of Hwascar Hernandez—a 24-year-old Bronx man who was fatally shot in December 2021 outside a Harlem barbershop. Authorities say Flock and Hernandez got into a verbal altercation before the former opened fire. The rapper was arrested nearly a week later on a first-degree murder charge. The DOJ confirmed Flock will be transferred to federal custody in light of the racketeering indictment.
“The deadly nexus of gangs and illegal guns in New York City is a grave threat to public safety in our city,” NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said about following the indictment. “Combatting this crisis is the NYPD’s top priority, and today’s indictments are another step toward ridding our streets of violence and fear. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and everyone else involved with this case who worked to make our city safer for all the people we serve.”
Notably, Kay Flock was building a buzz with his music, releasing songs like “Make a Movie” with Fivio Foreign and “Shake It” that featured a remix with Cardi B.
Related Stories
Watch Kay Flock's New Video for "Make a Movie" f/ Fivio Foreign
The Bronx drill star shared the track, produced by A Lau and Elvis Beatz, on Friday. It arrives months after the release of the Cardi B-assisted "Shake It."
Kay Flock's Attorney Releases Statement After Rapper's Arrest in NYC Barbershop Killing
Bronx rapper Kay Flock has been arrested for his alleged connection with the murder of a 24-year-old who was shot and killed outside a Harlem barbershop.
Cardi B Refutes Claims From People Questioning Timing of Kay Flock Collaboration and Video Shoot With Receipts
Cardi B shared text screenshots showing how long the production was in the planning stages. She also questioned why such narratives keep persisting.
