In 2009, Max B began serving a 75-year prison sentence for charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault and murder.
 Max B in 2008 |
|
| Background information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Charly Wingate |
| Also known as | Max B Biggaveli |
| Born | May 21, 1978 |
| Origin | Harlem, New York City, New York, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper |
| Years active | 2005 – present |
| Labels | ByrdGang Records (2006–2008) Amalgam Digital (2008–2009) |
| Associated acts | French Montana Dame Grease Diplomats/ByrdGang Mak Mustard |
| Website | Official website Also Known For His Great Cousin Geovahnie Fan Fan |
* Biography
He was incarcerated on robbery charges from 1997 to 2005,[1] He had come up with a second alias Biggaveli or Biggaveli denoting his belief that he is a combination of rappers: The Notorious B.I.G. ("Biggie Smalls"), Jay-Z ("Jigga") and Tupac Shakur ("Makaveli").[2]His manager Mike Bruno, whose name denotes his belief that he is a combination of boxers: Mike Tyson ("Mike") and Frank Bruno ("Bruno"), passed a demo along to Diplomats member Jim Jones in 2005, and Max B came to prominence through his affiliation with the Harlem collective The Diplomats, and with rappers Jim Jones and Cam'Ron in particular. In 2006 Jones formed the collective ByrdGang with Max B as a starring member.[3] Fellow ByrdGang-member Stack Bundles was killed in 2007.[4] Max B expressed the loss: "That was fucked up because the nigga Stacks was close to me, I ain't even gonna front. I was in jail at the time, so a nigga was sitting. A nigga learned to cope with that thing pretty well though, R.I.P. to Stacks. Shout out to my nigga, he played me all the joints he had. Man, that was my nigga."[5]
Having gained release from his contract, he signed a three-album deal with a now out of business Boston based label in 2008.[6][7] Preparations were underway for a debut album to be entitled Vigilante Season when in 2009 Max B was found guilty of involvement in a robbery which left a man dead.
Murder charges
According to authorities, Max sent his ex-girlfriend, Gina Conway, and his stepbrother Kelvin Leerdam, in 2006 to rob two men in a Holiday Inn, in Fort Lee, Northern New Jersey. On September 22, 2006, Max's crew ambushed Allan "Jay" Plowden in room 408 and restrained him with duct tape, while awaiting Plowden's partner, David Taylor. Also in the room was Gissele Nieven. When Taylor arrived, he was immediately shot, point-blank, execution-style, in the head. He did not have any money on him.The crew fled the scene, Plowden alerted the hotel front desk of the murder. When police entered the room, Plowden was caught trying to take $30,000 out of the room. Plowden was charged with money laundering and identity theft. A week later the duo Conway, Leerdam and coordinator Max B were apprehended and charged with the robbery.
On January 9, 2007 Max B was remanded to Bergen County Jail in New Jersey on a $2 million bail.[8] Conway testified against Max B and Leerdam, in exchange for a 18 years sentence on armed robbery and manslaughter. Leerdam received a life term plus 35 years.
Conviction and appeal
| Charly Wingate | |
|---|---|
| Born | Harlem, New York, United States |
| Conviction(s) | Robbery (1997); Felony murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, armed robbery, (September 3, 2009) |
| Penalty | 8 years in prison (1997–2005); 75 years in prison (2009–present) |
| Status | Incarcerated at New Jersey State Prison |
| Occupation | Rapper |
In a statement, Gerald Saluti said:
Max B was later sentenced to 75 years in prison on September 4, 2009.[10] His mother, Sharon Wingate,and fellow rap artist said he plans to appeal his conviction. On March 19, 2010, Max B was granted an appeal with a new trial and lawyer.[11]“Max B would like to first thank all his family, friends and fans that have supported him plus Mula Ave throughout this trial. Please don’t give up on him at this point. Although the jury has spoken and Max has been convicted of felony murder, kidnapping, robbery and conspiracy a swift and successful appeal shall follow.”
“It is inconceivable that a jury could convict Max under the facts presented by the State. Even Gina Conway the State’s own witness testified that Max knew nothing of a robbery,” he stated. “Ms. Conway, a jilted lover and proven liar, said so at the trial itself. Max said after the verdict was read that he is confident that justice will eventually be served and he will be free.”
“Max intends to continue putting out music for his fans while the appeal process grinds along. Although shocked by the verdict, Max remained grateful,”
On Feb 29th, rumors spread that Max's request for an appeal were denied, but it since has been cleared up as an internet/blog/twitter rumor.[12]
