Man admits helping two others gun down rapper Young Dolph at Memphis bakery

A Tennessee man has admitted helping two suspects gun down rapper Young Dolph in a daytime ambush as a Memphis bakery.   

Jermarcus Johnson, 26, pleaded guilty at Shelby County Criminal Court in Memphis, Tennessee, to three counts of accessory after the fact over the November 2021 murder of the music artist, whose real name is Adolph Thornton Jr.

The 36-year-old rapper had been buying cookies from Makeda’s Homemade Cookies on Airways Boulevard, near his childhood home in south Memphis, when he was gunned down by two men after they pulled up in a stolen white Mercedes Benz. 

Four people have so far been charged in connection with the shooting, including Johnson’s half brother Justin Johnson, and accomplice Cornelius Smith, who are accused of being the gunmen. 

Jermarcus Johnson is the only defendant to plead guilty. 

Young Dolph was buying cookies from his local bakery when he was gunned down by two men in a stolen Mercedes Benz on November 17, 2021

The scene of the crime – Makeda’s Homemade Cookies in Memphis – was adorned with tributes to Young Dolph from fans and mourners in the wake of his death

During questioning by prosecutor Paul Hagerman on Friday, he acknowledged taking possession of a car from his half brother. 

The car was not the two-door Mercedes involved in the killing, and Jermarcus Johnson had no role in the shooting but was one of ‘multiple’ players more broadly connected with it, Hagerman said. 

He admitted helping the two gunmen suspects communicate via cellphone after the murder while they were on the run from authorities, and helping one of them communicate with his probation officer. 

Johnson also identified a photo in which his half brother was wearing the same clothing as one of the two suspected gunmen. 

Hagerman said after the hearing that dealing with a case with several defendants is ‘a little bit like chess.’

‘You’ve got to set up your pieces,’ he said.

Judge Lee Coffee has approved a plea deal for Johnson with prosecutors, allowing him to avoid trial – although he could still testify.

Jermarcus Johnson is the only defendant out of four people charged in connection with the death of Young Dolph to plead guilty

Judge Lee V. Coffee showing Jermarcus Johnson the document involving his guilty plea at the Shelby County Criminal Court in Memphis, Tennessee

Prosecutor Paul Hagerman said after the hearing that dealing with a case with several defendants is ‘a little bit like chess’

Johnson was initially charged with the more serious offence of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, an indictment said. 

His lawyer, Josh Corman, told reporters his client was an unwilling participant who was dragged into the aftermath of the killing.

‘Sometimes it’s one of those lessons of, you have to be careful who you know and who you associate with,’ Corman said. 

‘In this case, it was a half brother of his who showed up to his apartment one day and had a phone and a car.’

Meanwhile, accused gunmen Johnson and Smith have pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder. 

Hernandez Govan, who is accused of arranging the killing, has also pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

Johnson’s half brother Justin Johnson and accomplice Cornelius Smith are accused of being the gunmen responsible for Young Dolph’s death

Police cordoned off the scene outside the cookie shop following Young Dolph’s death

Young Dolph was a rising star of the rap world and his murder rocked the entertainment industry

A motive for the killing has not been disclosed.

Justin Johnson and Smith are being held in jail, while Govan is on house arrest under a $90,000 bond based on concerns for his safety and health. 

The incident is not the first time Young Dolph, who was also a producer and label owner, has been targeted by shooters.

In 2017 he was shot in the buttocks and arms when he was targeted outside a shoe store in Hollywood.

Prior to that, the rapper’s SUV was shot at over 100 times in Charlotte, North Carolina, leading to the arrest of rapper Black Youngsta.

The Chicago-born rapper grew up in Memphis and lived there until his death. 

Known for his depictions of tough street life and his independent approach to the music business, Young Dolph was admired in his hometown for charitable works.

He organized Thanksgiving food giveaways, donated thousands of dollars to high schools, and paid rent and covered funeral costs for people in the Castalia Heights neighborhood where he grew up. 

Raised by his grandmother, the rapper tried to help his parents ‘clean their life up’ once he found success

Young Dolph had three albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200, with 2020’s ‘Rich Slave’ peaking at No. 4

Raised by his grandmother, the rapper tried to help his parents ‘clean their life up’ once he found success.

He released numerous mixtapes, starting with 2008’s ‘Paper Route Campaign,’ and multiple studio albums, including his 2016 debut ‘King of Memphis.’

He also collaborated on other mixtapes and albums with fellow rappers Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion, T.I., Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz and others.

He was featured on OT Genasis’ 2015 hit ‘Cut It’ and known for his hit songs ‘Major’ and ‘On the River.’

Young Dolph had three albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200, with 2020’s ‘Rich Slave’ peaking at No. 4.

In his music, Young Dolph rapped about being a drug dealer and life on the streets in Memphis.

Crowds gathered at the scene of the crime – Airways Boulevard in South Memphis – following Young Dolph’s death

City officials and community activists pointed to his murder as a symbol of the dangers of gun violence in Memphis, where more than 300 homicides were reported last year.

Young Dolph’s cousin Mareno Myers told local news outlets that the rapper had been back in his hometown to pay a visit to an aunt who had cancer.

Myers said they had plans to do charity work and hand out turkeys for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday at a local church.

A private funeral was held for Young Dolph on November 30 and a section of a street in the neighborhood where he grew up was renamed for him on December 15.

He was also honored at a public celebration at FedExForum, the home of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzles and the University of Memphis men’s basketball team.

Meanwhile, murals of Young Dolph have been painted around the city and a pop-up museum featuring him was opened earlier this year.

The scene of the crime, Makeda´s Homemade Cookies, closed for months after the shooting, and became an impromptu memorial site for the slain rapper. It has since reopened.