February 21, 2012

Prosecutors Seeking To Delay Sentencing Of Rapper B.G.


Federal prosecutors are seeking to delay the sentencing date of a local hip-hop star convicted on weapon and witness tampering charges. Christopher Dorsey, 31, of St. Rose, who raps under the moniker B.G. or Baby Gangsta and was a member of the rap supergroup the Hot Boys, pleaded guilty in December and was scheduled to be sentenced March 14.

B.G.'s attorney explained that his client, whom he calls Christopher Dorsey, makes use of artistic license. He said Dorsey has a certain appearance and style he must maintain as a rapper.

Prosecutors with U.S. Attorney Jim Letten's office are now requesting to push that date back. A pre-sentencing report written by probation officers recommends that Dorsey receive a sentence of 100 to 125 months, roughly eight to 10 years in prison, according to court filings.

Prosecutors, in the filing requesting a delay, signal they are objecting to the sentencing guidelines.

Prosecutors noted that Letten's office has received information about Dorsey from fellow federal prosecutors in Illinois. The filing does detail what the information is. U.S. District Court Judge Ginger Berrigan has not yet ruled on the prosecutors' motion, according to court records.

Dorsey was arrested with two other men in November 2009 for allegedly possessing three weapons, along with loaded magazines and two extended clips, while driving in eastern New Orleans. New Orleans police said two of the three guns had been reported stolen and the car itself had been stolen from an Alamo rental car parking lot.

The case was later moved from state court to the federal system and resulted in federal indictments last year of Dorsey's associates: Demounde Pollard, 19, and Jerod Fedison, 29.

Both pleaded guilty, paving the way for the charges against Dorsey.

In December, Dorsey pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and witness tampering. But prosecutors made clear there is no plea agreement or deal in place. The rapper's songs and videos have underscored the "no snitch" mantra. He even highlighted aspects of the case against him in some of his songs.

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