Lil Durk to enter not guilty plea in high-profile murder-for-hire case

Lil Durk intends to enter a not-guilty plea and fight his federal murder-for-hire charge. TMZ reports that Durk remains in custody at a Federal Detention Center in Miami.

At the Miami facility, Durk is reportedly getting along well with staff and other inmates, being described as “super charming” and “agreeable.”

Durk’s father has shown his support by attending his son’s first hearing in Miami. CBS News recorded footage of Durk’s father walking alongside Durk’s attorney, Alex Ubieta. The rapper's next hearing will take place in the Central District of California.

Durk’s son, Zayden Banks, also shared his support through an Instagram statement.

“I want to take a moment to stand up for my dad, Durk Banks,” the statement reads. “He has always dedicated his life to uplifting others and giving back to our community through his nonprofit organization, Neighborhood Heroes. Beyond that, he is a great father who has always supported and loved our family unconditionally.”

Federal authorities arrested Lil Durk in Broward County, Florida. ABC Chicago states that U.S. Marshals took the rapper, born Durk Banks, into custody. He is being held without bond.

Reports indicate that the alleged murder-for-hire plot was aimed at Georgia rapper Quando Rondo, who was involved in a 2020 altercation with King Von outside an Atlanta lounge. Rondo and Von had a physical fight, during which Rondo’s associate, Lul Tim, fatally shot Von. Rondo later referenced the incident in his music.

Durk’s arrest occurred shortly after five individuals were arrested in Chicago and federally charged in California, accused of being hired to kill Rondo. The indictment, unsealed in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, names Kavon London Grant, Deandre Dontrell Wilson, Keith Jones, David Brian Lindsey, and Asa Houston. They face charges of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, murder-for-hire resulting in death, and using a machine gun in a violent crime resulting in death, with potential penalties reaching the death penalty if convicted.

The five arrested are affiliated with “Only the Family” (OTF), a Hip-Hop group led by Durk and associated with King Von. Court documents reveal that the group’s expenses, including flights and rental cars, were covered using OTF company credit cards. The five individuals were taken into custody in Chicago and held at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse before being transferred to Los Angeles.