Lil Durk hit with new charges in alleged murder-for-hire plot, faces life imprisonment if convicted
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Chicago rapper Lil Durk has been hit with new felony charges stemming from an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting rapper Quando Rondo.
A federal grand jury in California announced the charges on Friday, which could leave Durk, whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, facing a possible life sentence if convicted.
Lil Durk and co-defendants can face life in prison
The new charges against Lil Durk, filed in a California federal court on Friday, involve conspiracy and possession of firearms in connection with a violent crime, reportedly in retaliation for the 2020 killing of King Von, a close friend of Durk’s.
Prosecutors allege that Durk, along with five co-defendants—Kavon London Grant, 28; Deandre Dontrell Wilson, 33; Keith Jones, 33; David Brian Lindsey, 33; and Asa Houston, 36—conspired to kill Tyquian Bowman, aka Quando Rondo in August 2022.
The 32-year-old rapper remains in federal custody in Miami following his October 24 arrest.
The court says if the Durk and co-defendants are convicted, they could face “a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison".
Lil Durk gets listed as lead defendant
The US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, in its recent press release, added two felony charges to Lil Durk’s case with the latest indictment, which now lists him as the lead defendant.
According to federal affidavits, witnesses told investigators that Durk placed a bounty on Rondo’s life, and credit cards linked to him and his Only The Family rap collective were reportedly used to purchase plane tickets for the alleged hit.
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An affidavit filed in the US District Court in Los Angeles provides further allegations, citing FBI agent Sarah Corcoran’s testimony.
Corcoran states that Durk “placed a bounty on Quando Rondo’s life,” based on unnamed witnesses and that travel arrangements to carry out the murder-for-hire were linked to Durk’s finances.
“If convicted, the defendants could face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison,” it noted, according to Forbes.
Prosecutors contend that the alleged plot was formulated as a retaliatory measure for King Von’s death.
Von, who was close to Durk, was killed in a 2020 shootout in Atlanta involving Rondo’s associates.
Timothy “Lul Tim” Leeks, an affiliate of Rondo, was charged with the killing of Von, which further heightened tensions between the two groups.
Federal court reveals Lil Durk attempted to flee the US
The plot allegedly aimed to avenge King Von’s death, and prosecutors say the group, linked to Lil Durk’s Only The Family (OTF) rap collective, attempted to kill Quando Rondo but instead fatally shot his cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, also known as Lul Pab, who was in the car with him.
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According to prosecutors, Durk attempted to flee the US before his arrest, with three flights reportedly booked to Italy, Switzerland, and Dubai.
However, the court records indicate he did not board any of the flights. The US District Attorney’s office stated that Durk’s arraignment in Los Angeles federal court is anticipated “in the coming weeks.”
“Mr Banks is charged with orchestrating a cold-blooded murder that resulted in the death of a rival’s family member,” said US District Attorney Martin Estrada in a statement.
“Not only that, the shooting occurred in the open, at a gas station at a busy intersection, endangering many others in the area," Estrada continued.
"Violent gun crime of this sort is devastating to our community and we will have zero-tolerance for those who perpetrate such callous acts of violence," he added, per Deadline.
