Daryl Campbell, better known as podcaster Taxstone, is now under increased federal scrutiny following revelations of a failed contraband smuggling plot at MDC Brooklyn. Prosecutors are seeking to extend his already lengthy prison sentence as a result of this incident.
Once celebrated as a prominent podcaster, Taxstone’s life has taken a drastic turn as he finds himself embroiled in serious legal troubles. Prosecutors allege that he orchestrated an attempt to smuggle drugs, weapons, and phones into the prison from within its walls.
Recent footage obtained by the New York Daily News illustrates inmates at the Metropolitan Detention Center attempting to scale a gym wall in a bid to pull a rope filled with contraband through a window. This failed operation is now part of a federal case that could add an additional 33 months to Taxstone’s existing 35-year sentence for the fatal shooting of Troy Ave’s bodyguard.
According to court documents, Taxstone, while incarcerated, used a contraband cellphone to direct the June 30, 2024 operation. He allegedly sent voice messages detailing how and where to execute the plan, including instructions on vehicle positioning, rope length, and packaging of the contraband.
In one recorded message cited by prosecutors, he stated, “We gonna throw the line out from that gate, so you just run right in the gate and you hook it to the line ’cause there’s a hook on the end of the line we got right now.” Another message reiterated the timing and execution of the plan, indicating a well-coordinated effort.
The operation involved a 50-foot rope tossed from the street to a fourth-floor recreation room window, a tactic commonly referred to as a fishing operation in correctional facilities.
Court records reveal that the plot commenced around 1:45 p.m. when an alleged accomplice named Carl Kelly arrived outside the facility and attempted to throw the rope towards the window. Inside, three inmates—Jonathan Guerrero, Ian Diez, and Abel Mora—were reportedly trying to put the plan into action. Surveillance footage described in court documents showed them stacking chairs to form a makeshift ladder, while one detainee acted as a lookout, casually dribbling a basketball to avoid suspicion.
The plan ultimately failed when Guerrero lost his footing while trying to grab the line, leading to a crash that ended the smuggling attempt. All individuals involved in the scheme, both inside and outside the facility, have since pleaded guilty according to prosecutors.
This incident adds to ongoing concerns regarding security and conditions at MDC Brooklyn, a facility that has faced significant criticism for safety issues and staffing shortages. For Taxstone, the fallout from this failed plot could result in even more years added to an already lengthy prison term.
For the latest updates on celebrity legal matters, make sure to follow hiphopraisedmetheblog.com.
