Mendeecees
Harris, VH1 star of 'Love & Hip Hop,' faces drug
charges in Rochester area
A
star of the VH1 reality show Love
& Hip Hop is among
three men accused of trafficking heroin and cocaine in the
Rochester region, court papers show.
A sweeping investigation led to the federal criminal
charges against the reality show star, Mendeecees Harris,
who is already facing sexual abuse of a minor charges in
New Jersey, records show.
Harris, who lives downstate, and others were originally
indicted on the drug charges in the fall, according to
records.
Authorities allege that the three trafficked $2.5 million
worth of drugs between 2005 and August 2012.
Harris was key to the popular VH1 show’s recent season. His
arrest in New Jersey on allegations of sexual abuse of a
15-year-old lit up the online hip hop gossip sites, but the
Rochester-based drug charges — though months old — have
remained out of the public sphere.
While court records provide few details about the criminal
case against Harris and his co-defendants, Ronald Walker
and Tyrus Harris, the indictment shows that authorities
have already seized more than $1.5 million from safety
deposit boxes connected with the case.
Also seized was nearly $407,000 worth of jewelry and
watches, including a $60,000 Rolex and another $35,000
Rolex.
Authorities are also pushing for the forfeiture of
properties in Georgia and Baltimore.
Harris surrendered for arrest on the Rochester-area
indictment on Jan. 24. He is expected to be arraigned in
Rochester after a current trial in New Jersey. Harris’
co-defendants have pleaded not guilty at arraignments in
Rochester, records show.