LOWER MANHATTAN — Rapper Bobby Shmurda is being held in protective custody in Lower Manhattan while awaiting trial on conspiracy and gun charges, the Department of Correction said this week.
Shmurda, whose real name is Ackquille Pollard, was moved from Rikers Island to the Manhattan Detention Complex on White Street, where he has been held in a “protective custody unit” since Jan. 15, according to a DOC representative.
Shmurda has been in protective custody since his arrest on Dec. 17, the rep said.
The department did not say the reason for putting the East Flatbush rapper in protective custody or what specific protections he receives.
It’s unclear how long he will stay at the Manhattan Detention Complex, also known as The Tombs, which is primarily used to house inmates short term following arrests or for court appearances.
Shmurda’s attorney Kenneth Montgomery said it’s typical for well-known inmates to receive extra security.
“Anyone who has any type of notoriety, from a liability standpoint, Corrections is probably going to put them in some sort of protective custody,” he said.
In an interview with Billboard on Feb. 7, Shmurda denied reports that he had been stabbed in jail, saying, “It's nothing but rumors, man. I'm good. Everybody knows I'm good. I'm chilling.”
Shmurda is being held on $2 million bond. He faces charges of conspiracy, reckless endangerment and possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from a December bust of his East Flatbush GS9 crew.
On Tuesday, a Brooklyn judge ordered four gun charges against Shmurda from last summer be incorporated into the larger case brought by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor.
Fifteen members of GS9 were arrested in the bust, including rapper Rowdy Rebel. Both Shmurda and Rebel are due to appear April 22 in Manhattan Criminal Court.
