Taxstone, who is currently serving a 35-year sentence for the fatal shooting of Troy Ave’s bodyguard, is now facing additional legal trouble. Federal prosecutors have charged him with allegedly smuggling contraband into Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), a facility housing high-profile inmates, including Diddy.
Authorities claim that Taxstone, born Daryl Campbell, conspired with five inmates between April and June 2024 to bring in banned items such as drugs, cigarettes, a scalpel, and an illegal cell phone. He is among eight inmates facing charges in connection with the smuggling operation.
Smuggling Operation Uncovered
According to federal prosecutors, Campbell orchestrated the contraband scheme using an outside accomplice who attached the items to a line thrown from a jail window. Inmates then reeled in the package, which included suboxone, marijuana, cigarettes, a phone charger, lighters, and a scalpel.
The plan unraveled on June 30, when correctional officers caught four inmates attempting to retrieve contraband from the recreation room of their housing area. Investigators also obtained intercepted voice recordings from an illegal phone in which Taxstone allegedly discussed the smuggling method.
If convicted on these new charges, Taxstone could face an additional 10 years in prison, further complicating his already lengthy sentence.
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MDC Crackdown on Contraband and Violence
The latest indictment comes as MDC faces increasing scrutiny over security lapses and violent incidents. Federal authorities recently charged 16 other inmates, including an MS-13 gang associate, for various crimes ranging from violent assaults to fraud inside the detention center.
One of the most high-profile attacks occurred on February 22, when Karl Jordan, the man convicted of murdering Run-D.M.C.’s Jam Master Jay, was stabbed multiple times inside MDC. The attack, which left more than 20 inmates needing medical attention, highlights the ongoing safety concerns within the facility.
Taxstone’s Legal History and Ongoing Appeal
Taxstone has been entangled in legal battles since the infamous 2016 shooting at NYC’s Irving Plaza, where a confrontation between him and rapper Troy Ave escalated into gunfire. The violence led to the death of Ronald “Banga” McPhatter, Troy Ave’s bodyguard.
Although he was acquitted of murder and attempted murder, Taxstone was convicted of manslaughter, assault, and weapons charges, resulting in a 35-year prison sentence. His legal team has vowed to appeal the conviction, but these new smuggling charges could further complicate his case.
As the case unfolds, authorities continue to investigate how contraband is making its way into MDC and whether additional individuals, including staff members, may be involved in smuggling operations.
