Sheff G begins five-year state prison term in Brooklyn gang case

Brooklyn rapper Michael Williams, known professionally as Sheff G, began serving a five-year state prison term Wednesday after pleading guilty in March to attempted murder and conspiracy charges tied to a sprawling gang investigation prosecutors say produced multiple shootings across the borough. The sentence, imposed at State Supreme Court in Brooklyn, also includes five years of postrelease supervision.

Prosecutors said Williams, 27, used proceeds from his music career to finance gang activity, supplying money and jewelry to members of the 8 Trey Crips and the affiliate 9 Ways gang as they engaged rivals in Brooklyn. Authorities allege he acted as a getaway driver in at least one 2021 shooting that struck two bystanders and celebrated violent attacks, including a 2020 shooting that killed a purported rival and injured five others. Surveillance video, social media posts, text messages and lyrics were cited by prosecutors as part of the evidence in the case.

Williams entered the plea as one of 32 defendants named in a May 2023 indictment that charged the group in more than a dozen shootings and included multiple RICO counts. More than 20 defendants in the investigation have...