Willie DA Houston rap artist is being charged in wire fraud scheme involving Apple iPhones, according to federal officials.
William James Dennis — better known as Willie D of the Houston rap group the Geto Boys — was arrested Wednesday at Bush Intercontinental Airport where he was returning from an overseas trip.
Dennis appeared in federal court in Houston today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Milloy. He is slated to appear again Friday, and prosecutors indicated they will fight his release on bail, contending he is a flight risk.
A wire fraud conviction carries up to 20 years in federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
Through a front company, Dennis received thousands of dollars from foreigners and promised to ship several foreigners bulk orders of iPhones, according to an FBI affidavit.
But he always made excuses, never delivered the goods and kept the money, authorities said. He eventually stopped responding to e-mail complaints, according to offiicials.
The Geto Boys became well-known in the 1990s for their groundbreaking gangsta rap albums that sometimes touched on disturbing topics. They had several albums that went gold or platinum and reformed in 2005 to record a popular reunion album.
William James Dennis — better known as Willie D of the Houston rap group the Geto Boys — was arrested Wednesday at Bush Intercontinental Airport where he was returning from an overseas trip.
Dennis appeared in federal court in Houston today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Milloy. He is slated to appear again Friday, and prosecutors indicated they will fight his release on bail, contending he is a flight risk.
A wire fraud conviction carries up to 20 years in federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
Through a front company, Dennis received thousands of dollars from foreigners and promised to ship several foreigners bulk orders of iPhones, according to an FBI affidavit.
But he always made excuses, never delivered the goods and kept the money, authorities said. He eventually stopped responding to e-mail complaints, according to offiicials.
The Geto Boys became well-known in the 1990s for their groundbreaking gangsta rap albums that sometimes touched on disturbing topics. They had several albums that went gold or platinum and reformed in 2005 to record a popular reunion album.
(Story courtesy of Houston Chronicle)
Damn this recession got ninja's mind playin tricks on em'...But seriously Willie D is a dear friend of mine so I can't get to deep with this one. Let's all remeber that one is innocent until proven guilty. Sometimes you can commit a crime without even knowing it. (Sounds naive I know.) I believe Willie D's intention's were in the spirit of being an entreprenuer. Perhaps he partnered up with someone who said they could provide equipment and they were a freud and couldn't provide the phones. When you are in the entertainment business people approach you with all types of business propositions. Anyway from my experience I know that whenever the FEDs are involved you are good as gone...Their conviction success rate is ridiculous. On the other hand some of the best CD's are made before an artist goes to jail or after they comeback...Just as TI.
Luv ya;>
K. Anntionette
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