Kay Flock Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison on Racketeering and Attempted Murder Charges
The meteoric rise of Bronx drill rapper Kay Flock has culminated in a devastating legal blow. After months of anticipation following his March 2025 conviction, the 22-year-old artist, born Kevin Perez, was sentenced this week to 30 years in federal prison for his involvement in a sweeping racketeering case. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, signals a chilling halt to a burgeoning career that had put Kay Flock at the forefront of New York’s drill scene and re-ignites the fierce national debate over the use of rap lyrics as criminal evidence.
The Final Judgment: 30 Years for Racketeering Conspiracy
The sentencing, which took place in a Manhattan federal courtroom, brought a close—for now—to the federal case against Perez, who was found guilty of multiple charges, including racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder, and a firearm discharge offense. The conviction was tied to his alleged leadership role in the “Sev Side/DOA” gang, which prosecutors linked to a brutal period of violence in the Bronx between 2020 and 2021.
While the defense argued that the young rapper had changed, Judge Liman delivered a powerful rebuke of the artist’s actions and public persona. The judge criticized Perez for “glorifying violence” and noted that his conduct contributed to a dangerous cycle of retaliatory shootings that endangered the community. “You taunted, you celebrated and you helped create a cycle of violence,” Judge Liman stated.
The 30-year sentence was a reduction from the 50-year recommendation sought by the prosecution and the court’s Probation Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick R. Moroney had argued that Kay Flock was “very good at celebrating his violence and getting under the skin of his rivals,” noting that his music, which had “glorified gang violence,” had made the defendant “famous and now rich”. This sentiment underpinned the prosecution’s entire argument: that the rapper’s rise and his criminal activity were inextricably linked, with one fueling the other.
The Complexities of the Charges and Acquittals
The path to this sentence was paved by a complex trial that concluded with a mixed verdict in March 2025. Perez was convicted of the aforementioned charges but was notably acquitted of the more severe charge of murder in aid of racketeering. This acquittal related to the highest-profile charge: the 2021 shooting death of 24-year-old Hwascar Hernandez outside a Harlem barbershop.
Despite the acquittal on the murder count, the jury still found him guilty of the “use of a firearm resulting in death” charge and other related offenses. The prosecution successfully argued that even if Perez was not the shooter in every incident—which Judge Liman acknowledged in court—his role as a leader who planned and encouraged the attacks was sufficient for conviction. The judge noted, “In some ways, it was a measure of the fact that you were a leader that you distanced yourself from the shooting”.
The court heard evidence that Perez had participated in four separate shooting incidents that injured multiple people while he was a leader of the gang. Furthermore, prosecutors introduced evidence that Kay Flock bragged about his actions on social media, including writing “KILL ALL RATS” on Instagram after gang members testified against him in a previous proceeding.
The Battle Over Art as Evidence
Central to Kay Flock’s defense, and the wider debate within the hip-hop community, was the use of his rap lyrics as evidence of criminal intent and gang affiliation. The court heard how the prosecution utilized both Kay Flock’s music and even the lyrics of other artists to construct its narrative, arguing that this blurred the line between artistic expression and criminal evidence. Judge Liman himself quoted the rapper’s song “DOA” during the hearing, directly referencing a shooting.
Defense attorney Michael T. Ashley strongly objected to this tactic, stating that the use of creative expression in a criminal case is “highly inappropriate” and risked distorting his client’s artistic work into proof of intent. This point has been echoed by advocates who have stated that with RICO charges, rap music itself is on trial, often leading to “guilt by association,” drawing parallels to the case of Bobby Shmurda.
The Defense’s Argument and the Promise of an Appeal
During the sentencing hearing, Kay Flock’s legal team, led by Michael T. Ashley, presented a passionate defense, arguing for leniency. Ashley characterized the 22-year-old rapper as a “child victim of an adult predator” who was manipulated into the gang life at a young age, starting with Sev Side/DOA at just 13. The defense had pushed for the statutory minimum of 10 years or a detailed “punishment plan” that would have included Perez moving to Los Angeles and using his social media platform to actively condemn violence.
Kay Flock himself addressed the court, expressing regret and asking for a second chance. “What I was at 18 is not what I am today,” he insisted, adding, “I was just a kid. Didn’t really know better”. However, Judge Liman countered this by noting that the rapper had shown “no real remorse” for his victims.
In a brief public statement following the sentence, Kay Flock thanked his supporters and his legal team, stating: “I want to thank everyone who stood by me and kept me in their prayers. Even though we are still fighting because it ain’t over until Allah says it’s over”.
Mr. Ashley confirmed that the defense is far from finished. His team has already reviewed the record for potential legal issues and is committed to filing a comprehensive appeal. For now, however, the door to the drill rap star’s freedom has been closed, with Kay Flock remaining in federal custody as his case transitions into the long and arduous appeals process.
The Future of Kay Flock’s Music
Kay Flock was one of the hottest newcomers in the New York drill scene, known for tracks like “Is Ya Ready” and his debut album, The D.O.A. Tape. His success culminated in a record deal with Capitol Records and being named Billboard Magazine’s R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month in November 2021.
The 30-year sentence effectively derails the career of the once-promising artist. While some rappers have continued to release music from behind bars, the severity of a decades-long federal sentence means the industry will face a significant period without new contributions from the Bronx native. The case has cemented itself as a cautionary tale within the hip-hop world, starkly illustrating the high stakes and severe consequences of the federal government’s increasing reliance on RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charges to target gang-related activity involving prominent music figures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was Kay Flock sentenced for?
Kay Flock (Kevin Perez) was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for charges including racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder, and a firearms offense in connection with his role as a leader of the Sev Side/DOA gang. He was convicted in March 2025.
Was Kay Flock convicted of the murder of Hwascar Hernandez?
No, Kay Flock was acquitted of the specific charge of murder in aid of racketeering relating to the 2021 death of Hwascar Hernandez. However, he was found guilty of the charge of use of a firearm resulting in death in connection with the overall RICO case, which links him to the violence surrounding the gang’s activities.
Why did the judge use Kay Flock’s rap lyrics in the case?
The prosecution and Judge Lewis J. Liman utilized Kay Flock’s rap lyrics, social media posts, and private messages to demonstrate criminal intent, gang affiliation, and a pattern of celebrating violence. The judge quoted lyrics from the song “DOA” during the hearing. The defense argued that this use of artistic expression as evidence was highly inappropriate and risked distorting the nature of the music.
How old is Kay Flock and when will he be released?
Kay Flock is 22 years old (as of the sentencing date). He was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Given the length of his sentence, his potential release date would be well into his 50s, not factoring in any time served, good behavior, or the potential outcome of a successful appeal.
Will Kay Flock appeal the 30-year sentence?
Yes. Kay Flock’s defense attorney, Michael T. Ashley, confirmed that the legal team plans to file an appeal and will continue to fight the verdict and sentence, stating, “it ain’t over until Allah says it’s over,” as quoted by the rapper.
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