James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from his alleged involvement in a bicoastal cocaine trafficking ring.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Rosemond pleaded not guilty to intentionally conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, witness tampering and obstruction of justice. The music mogul is being held without bail.
The charges stem from accusations that Rosemond was the ringleader a large-scale narcotics ring, dubbed The Rosemond Organization, which “distributed hundreds of kilograms of cocaine since 2008 and generated millions of dollars through its narcotics sales,” as alleged by a 21-page federal complaint.
However, Rosemond’s attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, denies the accusations, claiming that he believes prosecutors used illegal methods to take Rosemond down.
“This indictment was built on the backs of witnesses that have been threatened and bribed by federal prosecutors. And I plan to expose all of it,” said Lichtman. “If the government wants a fight, they’re going to get a fight.”
On June 22, in Brooklyn Federal Court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Kaminsky argued that Rosemond not be offered bail, claiming that when the Czar Entertainment founder was arrested he had a “fugitive’s tool kit” on him.
At the time of his arrest, Rosemond’s “fugitive’s tool kit” included five BlackBerries, an iPad and two false driver’s licenses on him — a California driver’s license with his photo and a fake name and a New York driver’s license belonging to someone else. Kaminsky also said that Rosemond had applied for a fast passport using his fake New York driver’s license and had an airplane ticket to the Bahamas for the morning of June 24.
Federal authorities originally attempted to serve Rosemond with an arrest warrant two months ago but were unable to find the mogul.
Acccording to Lichtman, Rosemond was never really on the run, it only seemed that way because his client had been harassed for the past three years. “I don’t blame him for being anxious,” Lichtman said.
Considering Rosemond’s current legal troubles and his “fugitive’s tool kit,” Lichtman’s defense seems anything but sturdy. Perhaps, Rosemond should start preparing his “inmate’s tool kit.” –nicholas robinson
