Feds Use Instagram To Catch Rapper 9lokkNine In PPP Scam

The legal troubles for Florida rapper 9lokkNine continue to mount as the 21-year-old has now pleaded guilty to illegally obtaining a PPP loan.

9lokkNine, whose real name is Jacquavius Smith, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft after illegally obtaining a $10,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan meant to help struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to his plea agreement, the “No Relay” rapper used someone else’s name, social security number, and address to apply for the PPP loan and open a bank account in March. The funds hit the account on April 16th. A wiretap of his Instagram captured 9lokkNine sharing images of the loan application to friends via the DM’s, a move that is sparking a bigger conversation about the right to privacy on social media.

In addition to the fraud charges, 9lokkNine also pleaded guilty to possessing an unregistered firearm and being a felon in possession of a firearm. His plea agreement states that a sawed-off semi-automatic rifle that was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record was located during the execution of a search warrant at his grandparent’s home. Investigators discovered 9lokkNine’s thumbprint on the rifle magazine, and his DNA was on the grip area. He was also caught with multiple firearms during an arrest last month.

9lokkNine is still facing a RICO charge and five counts of attempted murder for allegedly firing into an Orlando, Florida home last July.

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