Crime & Courts

Anchorage rapper sentenced to more than 7 years in prison for selling meth

A 31-year-old Anchorage rapper was sentenced by a federal judge Monday to more than seven years in prison for selling methamphetamine.

Rico Paris Gillespie — who performed as "Rico G the Mayor" — received an 87-month sentence followed by four years of probation for his conviction on charges he sold meth to an informant in Anchorage three times in April and May 2017, according to charging documents filed in U.S. District Court.

The sentence was based on plea negotiations between both parties. Gillespie agreed to forfeit more than $2,300 cash and a pistol.

Gillespie faced a possible sentence of five to 40 years, according to his attorney, Jeff Robinson.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason was "touched" by his promise to finish an associate degree, his acknowledgement of the harm done to his family, and the potential for rehabilitation, Robinson said. Gillespie has three biological children and a stepchild.

"This was a very fairly negotiated case," he said.

Gillespie will get credit against his prison sentence for a little over a year spent in custody as well as drug treatment for marijuana should he complete it, his attorney said.

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Police also found heroin and fentanyl in a search of Gillespie's home, as well as a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol with a round in the chamber beneath the driver's seat of his car, according to a sentencing memo signed by assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Cavanaugh.

Gillespie posted videos on various sites including YouTube that "glamorize" selling drugs and violence, prosecutors said.

Gillespie attended community college "though it does not look like he ever graduated," the memo states. "It is most notable that the defendant has not been employed since 2014, yet has been able to support himself since that time."

Gillespie's brother was killed in prison that year, Robinson said.

Gillespie's LinkedIn profile lists one occupation: Rap artist.

But Robinson said he was also employed at various times at the Hard Rock Cafe and Nordstrom, and "had a lot of community involvement" including running a haunted house and advocating against violence.

"There's no evidence he supported his income by selling drugs," he said. His client wasn't a high-level drug dealer, Robinson said, and struggled to find meth for the informant, someone Gillespie knew.

Prosecutors didn't realize Gillespie had fentanyl on him during his arrest until after the plea deal was reached, the memo says. The drug has been linked to numerous overdose deaths.

Zaz Hollander

Zaz Hollander is a veteran journalist based in the Mat-Su and is currently an ADN local news editor and reporter. She covers breaking news, the Mat-Su region, aviation and general assignments. Contact her at zhollander@adn.com.

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