James Rosemond

James Rosemond
Born James Rosemond
(1965-02-05) February 5, 1965
Other names Jimmy Henchman
Criminal charge Drug trafficking,[1] obstruction of justice and possessing and using firearms[2]
Criminal penalty Life imprisonment[1][3]
Criminal status Incarcerated
Spouse(s) Cynthia Reed
Children James Rosemond, Jr.

James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemond (sometimes spelled Jimmy Henchmen[4][5]) (born February 5, 1965)[6] is an American former businessman involved in the rap music industry and convicted drug trafficker.[7]

Early life and education

James J. Rosemond was born in 1965 and grew up in a Brooklyn, New York housing project called Vanderveer. His parents migrated from Haiti in the 1960s. His parents divorced when he was young leaving his mother to raise five children alone.[8]

Entertainment career

Rosemond and several friends founded the music conference "How Can I Be Down" in 1992.[9][10]

In 2002, Rosemond negotiated the fight between Mike Tyson and Lenox Lewis. It was the first time that a boxer demanded that after a million buys on pay-per-view, the boxers would split the purse 50–50 with Showtime/HBO.[11][12]

In 2003, Rosemond along with the artist, he managed, joined Russell Simmons in his campaign to end New York's draconian drug law known as the Rockefeller drug laws.[13][14]

He was one of several entertainment managers that were asked by the Obama campaign to use their influence to assist in securing votes for Obama in his 2009 run to for President of the United States. Rosemond and his peers as well as their clients were special invited guests at the President's first Inauguration held on Tuesday, January 20, 2009; where they were greeted with a private speech from President Obama.[15]

Rosemond along with Shakim Compere and Mona Scott, executive produced BET’s “SOS Saving Ourselves: Help for Haiti,” a telethon held at Miami’s American Airlines Arena on February 5, 2010, to raise money for the devastated victims of the deadly earthquake in Haiti in January 2010 that killed close to 200,000 people.[16]

Circa 1996 Rosemond founded Henchmen Entertainment, the company that would later become the rap management company Czar Entertainment.[17] He was the CEO of Czar Entertainment,[18] when it managed The Game, Sean Kingston, Brandy, Gucci Mane, Salt-n-Pepa and Akon.[19] He was a known figure in the hip hop music industry, described in a 2012 The New York Times article as "a prince at the royal court, whose ties to rap music’s biggest stars were known far and wide."[20] Rosemond was behind Salt-n-Pepa's "Shoop"[21] and he was The Game's manager during a feud with 50 Cent when The Game recorded the diss track "300 Bars and Runnin'"[19] In 2006, Henchman and 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) settled a lawsuit regarding a DVD that Czar Entertainment released about 50 Cent's namesake, Kelvin "50 Cent" Martin, in which interviews with Jackson were alleged to have been inappropriately used. In the settlement, a charity was created with funds going to support Martin and his children.[22]

Criminal charges and conviction

Drug trafficking, money laundering and witness tampering convictions

In June 2011, he was arrested on charges of cocaine trafficking, money laundering, and witness tampering. Rosemond went on trial in May 2012, represented by Gerald Shargel.[23]

On June 5, 2012, Rosemond was convicted in Federal District Court in Brooklyn of drug trafficking, obstruction of justice, firearms violations and other financial crimes associated with his position as head of a multi-million-dollar transnational cocaine-selling organization.[24] At trial, it was alleged that Rosemond led the large scale, bi-coastal narcotics-trafficking organization that transported cocaine from Los Angeles, California to the New York metropolitan area. The group, known as the "Rosemond Organization," in turn shipped cash proceeds from the narcotics sales back to Los Angeles using a variety of methods as part of its operation. Millions of dollars in cash and narcotics were sent through Federal Express and United Parcel Service, often covered in mustard to avoid discovery by detection dogs.[25] In the indictment, prosecutors noted that Rosemond made over $11 million a year since 2007 through his drug trafficking scheme.[26]

On October 25, 2013, Rosemond was sentenced to life imprisonment.[1][7][27] As part of his sentence, Rosemond forfeited approximately $14 million in cash and property.[25] United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Loretta E. Lynch said that Rosemond's carefully crafted image as a music mogul was in reality "a cover for the real Jimmy Rosemond - a thug in a suit."[27] Presiding judge John Gleeson remarked that he would have sentenced Rosemond to life even if it were not legally required as his crimes were "astonishing in their breadth, duration and intensity." [27]

Murder for hire

In June 2012, Rosemond was charged with four crimes[28] in connection with the death of G-Unit affiliate Lowell "Lodi Mack" Fletcher, including murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit murder.[29] Rosemond is alleged to have arranged a murder as payback for the alleged assault on his son by G-Unit member Tony Yayo.[30] The trial began on February 10, 2014 in a New York[31] federal court.[28] More than 35 witnesses testified at the trial. Closing arguments finished on March 4, 2014.[28] The jury deliberations resulted in a hung jury on the four counts for both Rosemond and co-defendant Johnson.[32] Rosemond came before a jury again in December 2014 and on December 11 the jury found him guilty on all charges for the murder of Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher.[33]

On March 23, 2015, Rosemond was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years by Judge Colleen McMahon in his murder-for-hire case.[34]

On March 10, 2016, Rosemond filed a habeus corpus appeal seeking a new trial along with a complaint to the U.S. Justice Department Office of Professional Responsibility against U.S. Attorney Todd Kaminsky citing actions taken with regard to securing testimony from the government's lead witness Henry "Black" Butler.[35][36]

Personal life

Rosemond has a son, James Rosemond, Jr., with Cynthia Reed of Staten Island.[37]

In 2008, the LA Times retracted and apologized for a story which had alleged that Rosemond had been involved in a criminal event.[38] The story was based on documents created by a person convicted of fraud that had been falsely believed to be from an FBI file.[38]

In Popular Culture

Rosemond is profiled in the 2016 documentary series Unjust Justice: The Jimmy Rosemond Tapes, an investigative look into his life and criminal cases.[39]

American rapper Rick Ross acknowledges Rosemond as a mentor in his song "Ghostwriter" from the album Black Market: "Remember receiving words of wisdom from Jimmy Henchman I lit a blunt in his honor when he received his sentence." [40]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Riley, John (2011-06-21). "James Rosemond, hip-hop's "Jimmy Henchman," gets life". Newsday.com. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
  2. ↑ Schwirtz, Michael (2012-06-05). "Rap Music Figure Convicted of Running Multimillion-Dollar Cocaine Ring". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
  3. ↑ "Rap promoter gets life in prison in NYC drug case - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. 2002-10-03. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
  4. ↑ Parker, Derrick; Diehl, Matt (2007-04-01). Notorious C.O.P.: The Inside Story of the Tupac, Biggie, and Jam Master Jay Investigations from NYPD's First "Hip-Hop. St. Martin's Press. pp. 294–. ISBN 9781429907781. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  5. ↑ Lazerine, Devin; Lazerine, Cameron (2008-02-29). Rap-Up: The Ultimate Guide to Hip-Hop and R&B. Grand Central Publishing. pp. 168–. ISBN 9780446511629. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  6. ↑ USA v. Rosemond (2:98-cr-00550-DT), Filing #3, Case Summary (C.D. Cal. 6 March 2000). Text
  7. 1 2 Samaha, Albert (October 28, 2013). "James Rosemond, Hip-Hop Manager Tied to Tupac Shooting, Gets Life Sentence for Drug Trafficking". Village Voice. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "Tupac Shakur, the Los Angeles Times, and Why I'm Still Unemployed: A Personal History by Chuck Philips". Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  9. ↑ "Exclusive- Jimmy Henchman answers rumors accusations". http://www.dondivamag.com/. Don Diva Magazine. Retrieved 21 January 2015. External link in |website= (help)
  10. ↑ "Who Exactly is Jimmy Henchman?". TheUrbanDaily.Com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  11. ↑ "James Rosemond, Jr. Signs Lantana To Management Deal". Weekly Hip Hop. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  12. ↑ "James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemond Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison". Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  13. ↑ "JAILED JIMMY HENCHMAN & RUSSELL SIMMONS RELEASE STATEMENTS ON CHRIS LIGHTY". http://www.sohh.com/. Retrieved 21 January 2015. External link in |website= (help)
  14. ↑ "Charged as lobbyists, Simmons and Chavis fight back". EBSCO HOST Connection. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  15. ↑ "FULL STORY: JIMMY HENCHMAN ANSWERS ALL RUMORS AND ACCUSATIONS". http://www.dondivamag.com/. Don Diva Magazine. Retrieved 21 January 2015. External link in |website= (help)
  16. ↑ "Wyclef jean shot in haiti". http://necolebitchie.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015. External link in |website= (help)
  17. ↑ Hillary Crosley (2006-12-09). The Billboard Q&A: Jimmy Rosemond. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 21–. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  18. ↑ "Rapper Tony Yayo Gets Community Service for Harassment of 14-Year-Old Boy". Jet (Johnson Publishing Company): 37. 10 March 2008. ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  19. 1 2 "Jimmy Henchman Sentenced To Life Behind Bars". Vibe. 2013-10-26. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
  20. ↑ Schwartz, Michael (June 5, 2012). "Rap Music Figure Convicted of Running Multimillion-Dollar Cocaine Ring". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  21. ↑ "Hip-Hop Mogul James Rosemond Indicted on Murder Charge". Billboard. 2012-06-25. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
  22. ↑ "Latest News from the Biz: 50 Cent Settles". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 2006-04-01. pp. 8–. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  23. ↑ Schweeber, Nate (May 14, 2012). "Drug Trial Starts for Figure Prominent in Rap World". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 September 2012. Prosecutors say James Rosemond is a drug kingpin, and he went on trial Monday in federal court in Brooklyn on charges that he led a criminal enterprise that sold millions of dollars [sic] worth of cocaine, laundered money and tampered with witnesses.
  24. ↑ Schwirtz, Michael (2012-06-05). "Rap Music Figure Convicted of Running Multimillion-Dollar Cocaine Ring". N.Y./Region (The New York Times). Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  25. 1 2 "USDOJ: US Attorney's Office - Eastern District of New York". Justice.gov. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  26. ↑ Nate, Schweeber (May 14, 2012). "Drug Trial Starts for Figure Prominent in Rap World". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  27. 1 2 3 Secret, Mosi (2013-10-25). "Hip-Hop Figure Gets Life Sentence for Drug Ring". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
  28. 1 2 3 Rys, Dan. "Jury Begins Deliberations In Jimmy Henchman Murder For Hire Trial - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
  29. ↑ Flegenheimer, Matt (June 22, 2012). "6 Charged in Murder of Rapper 50 Cent’s Associate". New York Times. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  30. ↑ Baron, Zach (2009-10-09). "Tony Yayo's Assault on a 14-Year-Old Kid May Have Gotten Someone Killed". Blogs.villagevoice.com. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
  31. ↑ "50 Cent Mocks Jimmy Henchman on Instagram | News". BET. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  32. ↑ http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/03/jimmy-henchman-murder-for-hire-trial-results-in-hung-jury/
  33. ↑ http://allhiphop.com/2014/12/12/james-jimmy-henchman-rosemond-found-guilty-murder-for-hire-trial-50-cent-gunit/
  34. ↑ AP (March 24, 2015). "Former Hip-Hop Mogul Gets Life In Prison In Murder-For-Hire Plot". CBS New York. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  35. ↑ "James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond Appeals For New Trial, Claims Star Witness Received Benefits". Hiphopwired.com. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  36. ↑ "Star Prosecution Witness Against James Rosemond Received Substantial Benefits to Testify". James Rosemond: Life, Legacy & the Law. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  37. ↑ "50 Cent and Universal sued for pushing gangsta life". Mobile.reuters.com. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
  38. 1 2 Rainey, James (April 7, 2008). "Times retracts Shakur story". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  39. ↑ "The Case Of James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond To Be Examined In New Web Series ‘Unjust Justice’". Allhiphop.com. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  40. ↑ "Rick Ross - Ghostwriter lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved 8 April 2016.

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