Streamer DeenTheGreat is facing up to 15 years in prison after Miami prosecutors charged him with felony robbery in connection with an alleged confrontation aboard a yacht that previously led to his arrest on an attempted robbery charge.
According to TMZ, court documents show prosecutors also charged the streamer, whose real name is Nurideen Shabazz, with misdemeanor battery over the May 27 incident involving a female acquaintance.
The woman told police that a verbal argument unfolded while the two were aboard the yacht. Per TMZ, she claimed DeenTheGreat told her to leave the boat after other men attempted to speak with her and alleged that he had previously warned her not to entertain anyone else.
Police received a call concerning the incident shortly before 2 a.m. on May 27, according to an arrest report. The woman told officers that after leaving the yacht, DeenTheGreat allegedly tried to take her phone while she attempted to record their interaction.
According to the same police report, the woman accused him of grabbing her forearm during the struggle over the device. Investigators noted a minor scratch on her left forearm.
The allegations against Streamer DeenTheGreat became more significant for investigators after police obtained surveillance footage connected to the incident. The yacht owner provided security footage to law enforcement after speaking with officers.
The footage allegedly showed DeenTheGreat “putting his hands on the victim multiple times, attempting to grab her phone, where a struggle ensued over the taking of the phone as the victim is trying to get away from him where she could be seen cradling her body to the floor trying to stop [Deen] from taking her phone.” Police said she eventually escaped the confrontation and called 911 at approximately 1:55 a.m.
Officers remained near the dock after learning the yacht would be returning. According to the arrest report, officers detained DeenTheGreat when the yacht arrived and questioned him after reading him his Miranda rights. Police said he told officers that he believed the woman had his phone, an explanation investigators said did not match what they observed in the surveillance footage.
Streamer DeenTheGreat was initially arrested on an attempted strong arm robbery charge. The Miami Dade County jail records listed the felony charge as robbery, strong arm, attempt following his booking at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
His bond was later set at $2,500. A subsequent report said his streaming partner and former boxing champion Adrien Broner paid the bond before DeenTheGreat was released from custody.
DeenTheGreat denied the criminal allegation through the court process immediately following his arrest. He entered a written not guilty plea to the attempted robbery charge, requested a jury trial and sought discovery from prosecutors.
His attorney, Richard Cooper, also defended him following the arrest. Cooper told TMZ, “Mr. Shabazz has had a target on his back for some time now by people wishing to make a name for themselves off of his hard work. The facts are incomplete so far and we ask for patience. We expect the legal process, not social media commentary or clout-chasing, to determine the outcome.”
Florida law helps explain the potential 15 year prison exposure. Under Florida Statute 812.13, robbery committed without a firearm, deadly weapon or other weapon is classified as a second degree felony. Florida law provides a maximum prison sentence of 15 years for a second degree felony.
The filing of the charges does not establish guilt. DeenTheGreat has pleaded not guilty in connection with the case, and the prosecution will have to prove its allegations through the criminal court process.
For Streamer DeenTheGreat, the case now carries stakes far beyond the viral yacht confrontation that first put the incident online. What began with an early morning arrest over an alleged fight for a cellphone has developed into a felony prosecution that could carry years of prison time if prosecutors secure a conviction.
