Dancehall artiste Flippa Moggela’s U.S. federal drug conspiracy case has been delayed after a judge granted prosecutors’ request for more time to continue plea negotiations. The extension comes shortly after the entertainer, whose given name is Andrew Davis, replaced his court-appointed lawyer with a new criminal defence attorney, with both sides saying they need additional time to review evidence before his next court appearance on August 10.
The delay was approved by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Pascal after lead prosecutor Jeffrey Bender requested a 30-day continuance, telling the court that additional time was needed to review documents and continue discussions with the defence. Flippa Moggela’s new attorney, Philadelphia-based lawyer Jason Javie, who recently replaced court-appointed attorney Edward Borden, also indicated that he required more time to examine the case files following his appointment. The entertainer had previously withdrawn a bid for bail after making the change to his legal team.
Federal prosecutors allege that Flippa Moggela, along with co-accused Damion Jones, James McBride and Clifford Brown, participated in a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy involving cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl. Investigators are reportedly relying on wiretap surveillance, intercepted communications and digital evidence as part of their case. All four defendants had requested time to pursue plea negotiations rather than proceed directly to trial, with an earlier July 11 deadline now effectively extended.
Meanwhile, Flippa Moggela remains the only defendant to receive a 30-day continuance, while his three co-accused were each granted 60-day delays following similar requests from the prosecution. Jones, McBride and Brown are now scheduled to return to court on September 9, while Flippa Moggela will appear before the court a month earlier on August 10. The entertainer was on probation for a previous drug trafficking and money laundering conviction at the time of his latest arrest, having been released on parole in late 2022 after serving nine years of a 25-year prison sentence. With plea negotiations continuing behind closed doors, attention will now turn to whether either side reaches an agreement before Flippa Moggela’s next appearance.
View this post on Instagram
