By Jaia A. Thomas
During the recent reunion episode of Love and Hip-Hop New York, one notable cast member was missing from the raucous and name calling – Mendeecees Harris. You may remember him as the fiancée of the multihyphenate cast member, Yandy Smith. Smith, a talent manager, was actually one of the creators of Love and Hip-Hop New York, in conjunction with her former boss, Mona Scott-Young. As speculations swirled this season about the marital and paternity status of many cast members, viewers were perhaps most intrigued by one cast member whose voice was omnipresent but who went sight unseen during the entire season. Where was Mendeecees Harris? Why was he in prison? And when would he be released?
In January 2013 Mendeecees Harris was arrested and charged with narcotics conspiracy and money laundering. Specifically, Mr. Harris was charged with knowingly, willfully and unlawfully combining and conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine (Schedule I Substance) and 1 kilogram of heroin (Schedule II Substance). Such narcotics charges are punishable by a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, plus fines. While the laundering charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years, plus fines.
In conjunction with the documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, the Court seized specific assets from Mr. Harris and his co-conspirators, including such valuables as a Hublot “King Power” in 18kt rose gold ($45,000) and Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Chronometer in 18kt yellow gold ($40,000). All in all, federal authorities seized over $406,950 in jewelry. Authorities also seized countless sums from various safe deposit boxes (e.g. $488,900 in a Sovereign Bank safe deposit box, $300,200 in a Bank of America safe deposit box and $122,000 in a Chase safe deposit box).
In December 2013, Harris’ co-defendant Ronald Walker (aka Kellz) pled guilty to the narcotics conspiracy and money laundering charges. He admitted to arranging for the distribution of at least 40 kilograms of cocaine and at least 1 kilogram of heroin through Mendeecees (aka Uno) and others. He also admitted to laundering millions of dollars through corporations in his name. Consistent with his plea agreement, Walker was sentenced to the minimum 10 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. As a result of Walker’s conviction, $2.5 million worth of assets seized in connection with the investigation were forfeited to the government, including cash and homes in Queens, New York and Fulton County, Georgia.
But where do things stand with Mendeecees’ case? Apparently as of November 2013, no public docket entries have been made by the Court Clerk. Both the Bureau of Prisons and Harris’ attorney report that Mendeecees is currently not in federal custody, but do not offer any additional information or comment. The most recent activity in Mendeecees’ case was an order requiring the parties to inform the Court by November 15, 2013 as to whether the defendant would be requesting that infamous detention hearing. Curiously, no public filings appear on record thereafter.
If a detention hearing is eventually scheduled and held, the Court will hear testimony and determine whether there is probable cause that Harris committed the alleged offenses. If so, the judge must then decide whether any conditions of release would adequately ensure that the defendant is not a risk of flight or a danger to the community. However, with confirmation that Mendeecees is currently not in federal custody and no recent court filings, there is a likelihood that the case has already been resolved and the details of that resolution are sealed.
Part II of Love and Hip-Hop New York Reunion premieres February 10, 2014. Check your local listings…
Jaia A. Thomas is a bi-coastal sports and entertainment attorney. For more information: www.jatomaslaw.com or @jaiathomaslaw. Patrice Sulton is an attorney in Washington, DC, specializing in criminal defense, civil rights, and entertainment law.