Chicago Area Rapper Charged with Making False Statements to Federal Agent

BOSTON – A Chicago area rap artist was charged in federal court in Springfield, Mass. with allegedly making a false statement to a federal agent.  

Herbert Wright, 25, a/k/a “G Herbo,” was charged with one count of making a false statement to a federal official. Wright and five co-defendants, including Antonio Strong, a rap promoter, were previously indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. 

According to the previous indictment, beginning in approximately March 2016, the defendants allegedly conspired to defraud numerous businesses and individuals throughout the United States by using unauthorized and stolen payment card account information to obtain valuable goods and services, such as private jet and yacht charters, exotic car rentals, luxury hotel and vacation rental accommodations, private chef and security guard services, designer puppies, limousine and chauffer services, commercial airline flights, consumer goods and meals. 

Yesterday, Wright was charged with allegedly making false statements to a federal agent on Nov. 24, 2018. Specifically, it is alleged that Wright falsely told the federal agent that he never worked with or was assisted by Antonio Strong; he never provided Strong any money; he never received anything of value from Strong; and he had no direct relationship with Strong. In fact, since at least 2016, it is alleged that: (1) Strong worked with and assisted Wright; (2) Wright provided Strong money; (3) Wright received valuable goods from Strong, including private jet charters, luxury accommodations, and exotic car rentals; and (4) Wright had frequent direct contact with Strong, including phone conversations, text messages and Instagram messages.

The charge of false statements provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Frederick Regan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office and Trial Attorney Andrew Tyler of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.