YNW Melly (Photo by Broward's Sheriff's Office via Getty Images)
Corrections officers found a variety of dangerous contraband in YNW Melly‘s jail dorm, including shanks, prescription drugs and pipe bombs, with the rapper’s visitation rights now restricted as he waits to stand trial for a double murder in Florida.
The “Murder On My Mind” rapper, who’s real name is Jamell Maurice Demons, was busted after another inmate claimed he had multiple weapons in his cell, according to AllHipHop.
Court documents show that Melly’s attorneys have already filed a motion to lift those restrictions at the Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale, where Melly is currently incarcerated.
His attorneys attempted to distance the rapper from the contraband, however, saying although “Mr. Demons (himself) was found with one writing utensil and potato chips,” another inmate in his dorm “was found in possession of shanks, prescription drugs and other contraband,” per a statement from Melly’s lawyers.
“On or around late March 2022, another inmate filed a grievance alleging that Mr. Demons was in possession of shanks and pipe bombs,” his legal team wrote. “In response correction personnel conducted a search of the entire dorm, at which time Mr. Demons was found with one (1) writing utensil and potato chips. However, another inmate on the dorm was found in possession of shanks, prescription drugs and other contraband.”
The rapper’s attorneys went on to say that he did “not (have) any relationship with this inmate,” and yet Melly’s visitation restrictions remain in place, the outlet reports.
“Despite Mr. Demons not having any relationship with this inmate, Mr. Demons and his attorneys have been restricted from having customary visits due to the discovery of contraband in the possession of the third-party inmate. Over five (5)months have passed, which is more than enough time for the facility housing Mr. Demons to make a determination regarding the allegations set forth in the grievance.”
This is hardly the first issue Melly has faced since his incarceration at Broward County Jail. He was denied release despite contracting COVID-19 back in 2020 and 2021, and was punished by prison staff for promoting his “Just a Moment of Slime” album with an Instagram video.
Officials confiscated his Gucci clothes as well las denied him access to video visitation for three months following that infraction.
His phone privileges were similarly revoked earlier this year.
Melly also had a tooth abscess caused by his diamond grills, but a judge denied his emergency release from prison to seek proper dental care.
The 23-year-old was facing life in prison for the shooting deaths of two friends – Anthony Williams (a.k.a. YNW Sakchaser) and Christopher Thomas Jr. (a.k.a. YNW Juvy) – in October 2018.
But in July, The Shade Room reported he was no longer facing the death sentence in his double murder case, after his lawyers discovered that prosecutors failed to deliver a notice of intent to seek the death penalty, a little-known rule in Florida’s criminal procedure.
He’s remained behind bars since 2019, however has maintained his innocence regarding the murders.
