Orlando rapper “Hotboii” has been arrested on RICO charges.
The rising artist, real name Javari Walker, is facing charges of conspiracy to commit racketeering as part of a larger Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) investigation.
Rapper 9lokkNine also reached a plea agreement and pled guilty to three weapons charges and faces up to 32 years in prison.
In January 2020, he was charged with carrying a concealed weapon in Miami, Florida. In 2019, 9lokknine was charged with multiple counts, including possession of marijuana and illegal firearm possession.
According to investigators, a feud between two rival gangs — the Army, and the 438 — has led to a huge jump in violent crimes.
“When prosecutors seek a racketeering charge, they’re sort of throwing down the gauntlet to say that they think this criminal activity is so severe and so organized that they’re going to come after it with one of their most powerful tools,” legal analyst David Haas told WESH.
This year, several rappers have been locked on RICO charges.