Silento Breaks Silence After Getting Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison For Killing His Cousin

Guilty Plea Confirmed

Besides, the rapper formally identified as Silento, who first rose to fame through his ‘2015 single “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” that went viral, has pleaded guilty but is mentally ill. It is pivotal to mention that the plea refers to serious allegations, which is connected to the tragic killing of his cousin, Frederick Rooks, which occurred back in ‘2021. Consequently, this legal step resolves the criminal case against him following the incident.

Subsequently, Silento’s personal team released an official statement directly on his behalf shortly after this court proceeding. Furthermore, he openly and plainly presents the occasion to his devoted fans, and he personally thanks them for their unwavering support during such a daunting period. Besides, also, he vows to his fans something that is quite big, that he will stay committed to the making and releasing of new songs while being in jail, no exception.

Personal Commitment Expressed

Specifically quoting from his written statement, as later shared by media outlet The Shade Room, Silento declared: “I will continue to make music and work on becoming the best possible version of myself.” He further elaborated thoughtfully, adding: “I can’t reverse time, but I can serve the time I’ve been given lawfully, and strive to positively contribute to whatever my new environment may be.” Additionally, he reflected candidly on his early career experiences, noting: “I entered this industry as a teenager, often without proper guidance or direction. While that is not an excuse, it is part of my truth.” Finally, he shared his personal hopes moving forward: “I pray for growth, evolution, and the ability to find forgiveness—for myself and for this entire situation. God bless y’all,” conveying a desire for personal development and reconciliation.

Attorney Explains Context

Moreover, following the formal sentencing also occurring on Wednesday, Silento’s legal representative, attorney Keith Adams, provided crucial context during a conversation with Billboard. Significantly, Adams elaborated directly on the critical aspect of his client’s diagnosed mental illness. He stated definitively: “For the first time since he’s been arrested, Ricky [Silento’s real name] is in his right mind, and he’s in a place where he has a full understanding of everything that happened and what brought him here.”

Adams then provided essential background, explaining: “He’s been dealing with mental illness since the age of 12, and it’s unfortunate that it ended that way,” acknowledging the long-term struggle preceding the tragic event. Concluding his remarks, Adams expressed qualified acceptance of the legal outcome and hope for the future: “We think the outcome is appropriate, and we look forward to continued improvement in his mental health,” indicating support for the court’s decision and optimism regarding Silento’s ongoing treatment.

Initial Arrest Details

Furthermore, police officers originally arrested Silento, whose real name is Ricky Hawk, following a tragic discovery in 2021. Specifically, authorities found his cousin, Frederick Rooks, suffering from severe gunshot wounds. Importantly, these wounds were located on his face and also on his leg. Consequently, based on their investigation into this violent attack, law enforcement formally charged the rapper with two very serious crimes directly related to Rooks’ death: malice murder and also felony murder, initiating the legal process against him.

Plea Agreement Terms

However, in exchange for Silento formally entering his guilty but mentally ill plea this week, prosecutors agreed to drop the original, most severe charge of murder entirely. Not only that, Silento entered into a plea bargain, which is when the prosecutor and the defense attorney work out a deal, and the defendant agrees to take responsibility for the crimes outlined in the indictment. Now, a new set of charges is what the rapper has to answer for: unlawful killing, extremely harmful physical violence, illegal possession of a weapon in the course of a crime, and the hiding of a deceased person as a distinct offence. Therefore, the initial malicious murder accusation was removed from the case following the plea.

Resulting Sentence Breakdown

Moreover, each of these new charges carried its own specific prison sentence, which the judge imposed consecutively. Significantly, the voluntary manslaughter conviction itself contributed a substantial twenty-year term to his total prison sentence. Furthermore, the separate aggravated assault charge resulted in an additional five years being added. Moreover, being charged with the possession of a deadly weapon while committing a crime was the other factor that added another five years to the duration of his prison sentence. The good news, however, is that Silento will not go in for the entire time since he has the grace of jail days from the moment of his first arrest and being in prison in 2021 until now, thus shortening the time he is still incarcerated.