Love And Hip Hop Star Sentenced On Cocaine And Heroin Trafficking Charges; Forfeits Income From Reality Television Show And Other Assets

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Mendeecees Harris, 37, of the Bronx, NY, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine, was sentenced to 97 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank H. Sherman, who handled the case, stated that Harris participated in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine from 2005 until August 2012. From at least 2006 through 2008, while still in New York City, Harris participated in the distribution of heroin and cocaine with individuals who transported the drugs to the Rochester area and distributed them. 

The defendant, who had been appearing as a cast member of the VH-1 reality television show Love and Hip Hop, New York, agreed to forfeit all of his income from that show. That income amounts, so far, to $170,755.20 in cash. In addition, Harris will forfeit a 2011 Audi R8 vehicle valued at $111,000. 

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, investigators with the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli, and Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Shantelle P. Kitchen, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office.