Rapper Cardi B’s Friend Star Brim Sentenced In RICO Case

Star Brim, a longtime friend of Cardi B, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges related to maiming and assault in aid of racketeering. Brim, whose real name is Yvonne Respass, will serve her sentence at a federal facility in Danbury, Connecticut, starting July 1. Judge George B. Daniels also mandated three years of supervised probation and additional stipulations, including providing a DNA sample and paying a $100 fee.

With federal good behavior policies, Star Brim may have her sentence reduced by 15%, potentially allowing for early release within ten and a half months.

Origins of the Case: The 5-9 Brims and a 2020 Federal Sweep

Brim’s charges stem from a 2020 federal sweep targeting the New York Bloods Gang subset, the 5-9 Brims. The operation led to charges against 18 members, including Brim, for offenses ranging from racketeering and narcotics trafficking to violent crimes, including murder and attempted murder. Brim’s involvement included allegations of orchestrating an assault on two bartenders at a Queens strip club in 2018, a case that reportedly linked Cardi B indirectly due to a personal conflict.

The bartenders involved, identified as Rachel and Sarah Wattley, were allegedly targeted over rumors of a relationship between one of them and Cardi’s husband, Offset. Brim was accused of ordering associates to confront the women in her absence, using coded language to incite violence.

A Plea for Leniency and Brim’s Transformation

Star Brim’s attorney, Isabelle Kirshner, argued for a lenient sentence, citing Brim’s transformation and positive life changes since her arrest. In her appeal, Kirshner noted that Brim’s relationship with Cardi B had impacted her path positively, helping her develop a career as a social media influencer and entrepreneur in skincare.

In letters of support submitted to Judge Daniels, other associates highlighted her growth as a mother and her journey to personal improvement. Kirshner argued that a non-incarceration sentence would be “sufficient, but not greater than necessary,” to serve justice, given her client’s demonstrated reformation and efforts to distance herself from past affiliations.

Cardi B’s Friendship and the Public Eye

The case has drawn heightened attention, not only for its connection to a federal gang sweep but also due to Cardi B’s high-profile friendship with Brim. Despite the allegations, Cardi’s support of her friend has remained constant, underscoring the complexity of their relationship. With Brim’s sentencing now concluded, her journey moving forward will be closely watched by both supporters and the broader Hip Hop community.