Tsu Surf has been sentenced to five years in prison after being targeted in a RICO case that accused him and 41 other men of being involved in organized crime.
The Newark, New Jersey rapper, whose real name is Rahjon Cox, took a plea deal in the case earlier this year, pleading guilty to conspiracy and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
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He will have to serve the entire five-year sentence as ordered by U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton because there’s no parole in the federal prison.
Surf will also have three years of supervised release and has been fined $15,000.
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Tsu Surf was facing up to 30 years in prison on four separate charges, including conspiracy to violate the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act. He had earlier pleaded not guilty.
Surf was allegedly a member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, who stand accused of drug dealing, firearms possession and street warfare.
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During the case, it was alleged that Surf joined the gang in 2015 and was involved in a shooting incident two years later.
The prosecuting attorney claimed the rapper shot at but did not hit a member of the rival Rollin’ 47 Neighborhood Crips in March 2017. He was later found in possession of two firearms, despite it being illegal for him to do so as a convicted felon.
It was also claimed that Surf held a “leadership role” within the gang.
During the 2023 MTV VMAs, Wyclef Jean called for the release of Tsu Surf from prison. As he was introducing Shakira to the stage, the Fugees star said: “Right about now, New Jerusalem, New Jersey! Free the Wave.”
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Joe Budden, who counts Surf as a friend, also commented on his arrest in October.
“I’ll be honest, for me I’m a little conflicted on how I feel about it,” Budden said. “Cuz like Black men in this country, I’m trying to see what part I’m responsible for. With this being my man and with me being older and just knowing a little more. But the truth is, there’s nothing you could do.”
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He continued: “You just keep running the shit back to see what maybe you could have done differently or said differently to end in a different result.”
