A significant development has unfolded in the ongoing criminal proceedings against a prominent music industry figure, raising serious questions about jury security and outside influence. The trial, which involves serious federal charges including sex trafficking and racketeering, was disrupted by an incident involving a sitting juror and an unsolicited digital communication.
According to court proceedings, a member of the jury panel reported receiving a text message from an unrecognized phone number. The message directly inquired if the individual was serving as a specific juror in the case. The juror promptly notified the presiding judge of this contact, an action deemed appropriate given strict court orders prohibiting jurors from discussing the trial.
The judge expressed immediate concern over the message, interpreting it as a potential indicator that the juror might have been improperly discussing their role outside of court—a major violation of protocol. The incident triggered a direct inquiry from the bench, with the judge questioning the juror about the message’s contents and origin.
This event follows the recent dismissal of another juror, identified in court documents as Juror No. 6. That individual was removed after providing conflicting accounts of his primary residence, which cast doubt on his qualifications and truthfulness. Following the dismissal, the court confiscated the former juror’s phone amid suspicions he may have been communicating about the trial.
The vacant seat was filled by an alternate juror, a male accountant from Westchester, New York. Meanwhile, the legal team for the defendant has formally contested the dismissal of Juror No. 6, filing an appeal that argues the removal lacked a valid factual basis and could prejudice their client’s right to a fair trial. In their motion, the defense suggested the prosecution’s action appeared strategically aimed at removing another Black male from the jury pool, a claim the court has previously stated it found no discriminatory motive to support.
The defendant has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. The trial continues as the judge has indicated the matter of the mysterious text message will be revisited following the day’s testimonies. The incident underscores the intense scrutiny and procedural challenges inherent in high-stakes legal battles involving public figures.
