Baby Blue, whose real name is Jamiel Chavours, is an American rapper known for being a founding member of the rap group Pretty Ricky. However, he has become more well known in recent years for his involvement in criminal activities that ultimately landed him in prison. This article will take a comprehensive look at Baby Blue’s life, crimes, and prison sentence to provide useful information to readers who may be curious about why this rapper ended up behind bars.
Baby Blue’s Early Life and Music Career
Jamiel Chavours was born in 1984 in Miami, Florida. As a teenager, he cofounded the R&B and hip hop group Pretty Ricky with his three brothers Spectacular Smith, Pleasure P and Slick’Em. The group found success with their 2005 debut album ‘Bluestars’ which went platinum and featured popular singles like “Grind With Me” and “Your Body”.
Baby Blue established himself as a solo artist as well, releasing his debut album ‘Blue’s Clues’ in 2007. While his music career was taking off, he was allegedly involved in criminal activities behind the scenes.
Baby Blue’s Involvement in Organized Crime
According to court documents and investigators, Baby Blue was a member of the notorious “Alwoo” gang based in Miami Gardens. This gang was involved in violent crimes like armed robbery, extortion, fraud schemes and drug trafficking. Baby Blue used his rap career as a front to launder money made through illegal means.
In 2007, Baby Blue was identified by police as the ringleader of a crime ring that stole over $10 million through identity theft and credit card fraud schemes. He recruited friends and family members to take out loans and open credit cards in other people’s names, keeping a cut for himself. This landed him in prison for the first time on charges of ID theft, credit card fraud and money laundering.
After being released from prison, Baby Blue continued his life of crime. In 2015, he took part in a massive luxury car theft ring targeting high-end vehicles like Bentleys, Lamborghinis and Ferraris across South Florida. Baby Blue would help steal the cars off the street and then create fake titles and registration paperwork so they could be sold. This multi-million dollar car theft operation finally caught up to him when he was arrested again in 2017.
Baby Blue’s Prison Sentence for Attempted Armed Robbery
In 2017, Baby Blue was involved in planning an attempted armed robbery of a Miami Beach hotel known for hosting events with expensive jewelry and other valuables. On October 11, 2017, Baby Blue and two other men disguised themselves as construction workers and broke into a restricted back area of the hotel armed with guns. Their intention was to rob event attendees of their luxury goods.
However, Miami Beach police received a tip about the planned heist and caught Baby Blue and his accomplices red-handed. This attempted armed robbery was the final straw that landed the rapper in prison again. In 2018, he was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in state prison on charges of armed burglary, aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Details of Baby Blue’s Time in Prison So Far
Baby Blue began serving his 12 year prison sentence in 2018 at the South Florida Reception Center. In 2019, he was transferred to the Everglades Correctional Institution which is a maximum security prison.
According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Baby Blue will not be eligible for parole or early release until 2029. He will have to serve at least 85% of his total 12 year sentence behind bars.
While in prison, Baby Blue has been keeping his name in the headlines. In 2021, he was caught using an illegal cellphone to livestream himself rapping from his prison cell. This resulted in disciplinary action within the correctional facility.
The former rapper also made news when he was allegedly attacked by two inmates who slashed his face with razors in 2021. Baby Blue required stitches and staples for his wounds. This incident shed light on the dangers that incarcerated celebrities can face behind bars.
Looking at How Much Time Baby Blue Has Left to Serve
As of September 2022, Baby Blue still has the majority of his 12 year prison sentence ahead of him. Based on his conviction in 2018 and Florida law requiring him to serve 85% of his sentence, he likely won’t be released until 2029 at the earliest.
Here is a breakdown of how much time Baby Blue has served so far and how much he has left:
- 2018: Convicted and sentenced to 12 years (144 months) in prison
- September 2022: Has served 4 years and 9 months (57 months) of his sentence
- Time served so far: 57 months out of 144 months total
- 85% of 144 month sentence: 122.4 months
- Time still left to serve: Around 65 months (over 5 more years)
Barring any overturned convictions, granted appeals for early release or parole consideration, Baby Blue is facing just over 5 more years in prison before he will taste freedom again in 2029. He will be in his mid-40s when he finally finishes serving his complete sentence.
What Comes Next for Baby Blue After Prison
Baby Blue’s future after he completes his prison sentence is uncertain. He will be much older when he gets released compared to when he first got involved in criminal activities as a young rapper.
Based on his conduct behind bars so far, such as smuggling in cellphones, it’s possible Baby Blue could face additional discipline or extended sentences that prolong his release date. However, if he stays out of trouble and serves his full 12 year sentence, here are some possibilities of what could come next for him post-prison:
- Returning to music and trying to revive his rap career
- Advocating to youth about avoiding a life of crime
- Public speaking engagements about his cautionary tale
- Seeking a “normal” job and life outside of music and crime
- Violating parole and reoffending if rehabilitation efforts fail
- Retaliation from past victims seeking justice against him
Ultimately, the outcome will depend on the mindset Baby Blue leaves prison with after serving so much time. Will he turn over a new leaf and build a crime-free life? Or will he gravitate back towards the streets and music industry that led him astray? His ability to avoid reoffending will shape his post-prison future the most.
Conclusion
In summary, rapper Baby Blue earned his 12 year prison sentence due to his involvement in multiple organized crime rings over his decades-long criminal career. His crimes escalated from fraud and theft to violent armed robberies that finally crossed the line. He will likely serve the majority, if not all, of his prison term unless he is granted early release for good behavior.
Only time will tell if Baby Blue will turn his life around after paying his debt to society or if he will waste the opportunity for redemption. His future after serving his sentence remains uncertain but depends greatly on his own personal choices once released from behind bars. This concludes the comprehensive look at why this famous rapper ended up in prison and what may still lie ahead during and after his incarceration.