OT - "Dirty Bird" singer bound for prison

[JonInMiddleGA]

http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/8156368.htm

Macon rap star convicted on drug, weapon charges


By Sharon E. Crawford

Telegraph Staff Writer
Spoon was arrested in October after Macon police witnessed him coming out of a known drug house. During a routine traffic stop, officers found a loaded handgun and $6,600 worth of crack cocaine, marijuana and Ecstasy inside Spoon's 1985 Chevrolet Suburban.Macon Circuit District Attorney Howard Simms dropped state charges against Maxwell when federal officials decided to prosecute. Spoon was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which provides increased prison sentences for people convicted on drug-related weapon offenses. A Macon rapper and local celebrity faces at least 10 years in federal prison after he was convicted Wednesday on drug and weapon charges.

It took a jury less than an hour to convict 30-year-old Sonny Spoon, whose real name is James E. Maxwell, in federal court in Macon on charges of possession of crack cocaine, marijuana and Ecstasy with the intent to distribute and possession of a weapon during the commission of a drug offense. The verdict came after a three-day trial.

Spoon, who will be sentenced in May, could be sentenced to life in prison and a $3.5 million fine. He was taken into federal custody after the verdict was read.

Spoon performed regularly in local rap music circles and is best known for his song "Dirty Bird," about the end zone dance made famous by former Atlanta Falcon running back Jamal Anderson. According to an earlier Telegraph article, the story of Spoon's arrest made news in New York, Boston, the San Francisco Bay area and Berlin, Germany.

[EagleFan]

Now there's something you don't see every day, a rap singer busted for drugs and guns...

[Hurst2112]

I think it's funny that he drives an 85 Suburban. Is that the new vehicle of "da hood"? If that's the case my uncle's high on the chain with a 91 suburban.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Apparently sentencing took a little longer than originally expected
http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/9785025.htm

Macon rapper and performer Sonny Spoon was sentenced in U.S. District Court to more than 13 years in prison Tuesday on drug and gun charges.

"The thing I'd like to say is that the court have mercy," Spoon, 30, told U.S. District Judge Duross Fitzpatrick.

In March, Spoon - whose real name is James E. Maxwell - was found guilty on charges of possession of crack cocaine, marijuana and Ecstasy with the intent to distribute and possession of a weapon during the commission of a drug offense.

Fitzpatrick told Spoon, "I'm going to have as much mercy as the law allows." Fitzpatrick could have given Spoon 10 years and seven months for his drug charges but instead gave him the minimum of eight years and one month. Fitzpatrick had no discretion on the five additional years that Spoon received for the weapon charge.

U.S. Attorney Max Wood said that stiff penalties for gun crimes are a deterrent.

He also said Spoon's case shows that "just because you have some degree of fame, it doesn't mean the laws aren't going to be applied properly."

Spoon's sentence was stiff, he said, but it could have been less if he had pleaded guilty and cooperated with authorities. He said it is still possible for Spoon to reduce his sentence by cooperating with law enforcement.

But "he certainly has the right to maintain his innocence," Wood said.

[Honolulu_Blue]

SPOON!