Lil Tjay’s legal team has dispelled rumors suggesting that the rapper is involved in a federal indictment targeting the Slaughtery gang in The Bronx. Recent speculation hinted that Tjay, born Tione Merritt, was among 20 individuals arrested in connection with an investigation into 14 shootings in the Fordham area from 2020 to 2024. The gang is also accused of using social media to promote violence and brag about their criminal activities. Tjay’s name has surfaced in these arrest rumors, but his team has clarified that he is not connected to the indictment.
The confusion stemmed from a purported photo of Tjay’s mugshot that circulated online. Despite this, the rapper’s name did not appear in the official list of indicted gang members. The arrest rumors were fueled by this misleading photo. Addressing these concerns, Tjay’s attorney, Dawn Florio, issued a statement to clarify the situation. “Despite recent reports, we want to clarify that my client, rap artist Tione Jayden Merritt, professionally known as Lil Tjay, has not been indicted or arrested. We are aware of several news outlets that have shared false information regarding his legal matter, and we wish to address these inaccuracies. We urge all media outlets to exercise caution and ensure proper due diligence before publishing speculative or unfounded claims. Reporting inaccurate information not only damages reputations, but misleads the public.”
Even though Tjay has not been implicated in the Slaughtery gang case, his legal troubles are not new. Earlier this year, on his 23rd birthday, Tjay was arrested due to an outstanding warrant for missing a court date. He was released on bond and later posted a picture of himself boarding a private jet. Additionally, in 2023, he faced arrest for reckless endangerment after broadcasting himself driving on Instagram Live, during which he confronted officers with, “Nah. Do not touch me, bro. What am I under arrest for?” Tjay has also previously turned himself in on a gun charge. This charge was related to a shooting in 2022. The incident required him to undergo emergency surgery.