Jermarcus Johnson, one of four men charged with the murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph, was hit with more charges on Wednesday (June 7). He’s now facing three counts of accessory after the fact, along with the first charge of conspiracy to first-degree murder.
In addition to Johnson, three other men were implicated in the murder: Justin “Straight Drop” Johnson, Cornelius Smith and Hernandez Govan. Investigators believed Govan ordered the murder, soliciting Johnson and Smith to kill Young Dolph. The plot to murder the rapper reportedly began in June 2021.
Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., was fatally shot dozens of times at close range inside Madeka’s Homemade Cookies on November 17, 2021. Johnson surrendered to the police the following day. He was charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Johnson and Smith were allegedly the gunmen who killed Young Dolph.
They face first-degree murder, criminal attempted first-degree murder, unlawful carrying and possession of a firearm, employment of a firearm with intent to commit a felony, theft of property and an additional conspiracy charge to commit first-degree murder.
After spending months in jail without bond following his November 2022 arrest, Govan posted a $90,000 bond on May 11. It was agreed upon by prosecutors and defense attorneys, and Young Dolph’s family was aware of the agreement.
Govan is under house arrest while he awaits trial. Further adding to the tragic storyline, Govan’s daughter, Memphis rapper Lotta Cash Desto, was fatally shot in Houston last September 24.
Two suspects, Jeremyah Smith, 19, and Christian Isaiah Williams, 24, were arrested in connection with her murder. Rumors suggested her death might have been in retaliation for the killing of Young Dolph after her father was indicted.
In a recent turn of events, Johnson was found with drugs and a cell phone inside his cell at the Shelby County Jail, sparking an open investigation by the sheriff’s office.