Lil Tjay’s Lawyer Denies That Rapper Was Part of Bronx Gang Indictment
Earlier this week, blogs reported that Tjay was one of the twenty individuals part of the “Slaughtery” Gang responsible for a violent crime spree in the Bronx, New York.
Lil Tjay’s legal counsel wants to clear the air about recent reports made about their client.
Earlier this week, the 23-year-old rapper born Tione Jayden Merritt, was reportedly named in a federal gang indictment that accused him and roughly 20 other individuals of being part of the Slattery Gang, also known as the “Slaughtery” Gang that were allegedly responsible for 14 shootings in the Fordham area of the Bronx, New York.
Although an indictment of the gang members was announced last month in a statement made by Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and NYC Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban, Tjay’s name did not appear in the list of defendants.
“Despite recent reports, we want to clarify that my client, rap artist Tione Jayden Merritt, professionally known as Lil Tjay, has not been indicted,” read a statement from Tjay’s attorney Dawn Florio, per Uproxx. “We are aware of several news outlets that have shared false information regarding his legal matter, and we wish to address these inaccuracies.”
“We urge all media outlets to exercise caution and ensure proper due diligences before publishing speculative or unfounded claims. Reporting inaccurate information not only damages reputations, but misleads the public.”
Florio did not name any of the outlets that erroneously claimed her client was affiliated with the gang but clarified that she would not be issuing further comment on the matter.
According to the Bronx District Attorney, twenty members of the “Slaughtery” gang, including five teens, had been indicted for a violent crime spree in the Bronx, including 14 shootings, carjackings, and a courthouse slashing. Their violent acts occurred between 2020 and 2024 in neighborhoods including Fordham Heights and Kingsbridge. The gang reportedly used social media to promote violence and even boasted about their crimes.
Their 176-count indictment includes charges for conspiracy, attempted murder, and weapons possession. Eleven of the defendants have been arraigned, with more awaiting court appearances.
