By Rose Miami 
HangupsMusic.com – Los Angeles, CA – A significant development has emerged in the aftermath of the tragic murder of Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke, as one of the young individuals convicted in his death has been sentenced to an additional four years in state prison. Deijae Jester, who was implicated in the fatal shooting of the rising hip-hop star, will now serve this new sentence concurrently with his existing time for his role in the 2020 home invasion that claimed Pop Smoke’s life. The latest conviction stems from an attempt to smuggle fentanyl into a juvenile detention facility, highlighting a disturbing pattern of criminal activity.
The 21-year-old Jester received his sentence on Thursday, August 13th, following a plea of no contest. The charges relate to an incident in December 2025, where authorities discovered 25 pills laced with fentanyl within the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles. According to reports from the Los Angeles Times, the illicit substances were allegedly brought into the facility by Jester’s mother during a visitation. This latest legal entanglement adds another grim chapter to the ongoing saga surrounding the rapper’s untimely demise.
At the tender age of 15, Jester was one of four individuals who allegedly broke into the Hollywood Hills residence rented by Pop Smoke in February 2020. Investigations later revealed, through recorded conversations while Jester was in custody, that he was the one who fired the fatal shots, striking the Brooklyn rapper three times in the back. This pivotal piece of evidence formed a cornerstone of the prosecution’s case, leading to his conviction for murder in 2023. At the time of the fentanyl incident, Jester was being held at a juvenile facility in Sylmar, awaiting further proceedings.
Surveillance footage and intercepted phone calls provided crucial evidence for investigators, suggesting a premeditated plan between Jester and his mother, Nickia Randall, to introduce contraband into the detention center. During a supervised visit, correctional officers reportedly observed Randall attempting to pass her son a blue balloon. Upon inspection, the balloon was found to contain 25 pills, later identified as containing fentanyl, along with a small quantity of blue powder. The presence of such a potent and dangerous synthetic opioid within a juvenile facility underscores the severity of Jester’s new offense.
Prosecutors had pushed for the maximum five-year sentence for Jester, emphasizing the danger posed by fentanyl and the breach of security within the correctional system. However, Jester’s defense team argued for leniency, citing his challenging upbringing and his documented efforts to pursue his high school diploma while incarcerated. Ultimately, Judge P. Tamu Usher opted for a four-year sentence, a decision that will see Jester transferred from the juvenile justice system to a state prison to serve his time.
The legal ramifications for those involved in Pop Smoke’s murder continue to unfold. Of the four individuals initially charged, two were adults at the time of the crime. Corey Walker, who was 19, received a substantial sentence of 29 years in prison in 2025 for his participation in the events. The case of Keandre Rodgers, who was 18, is reportedly under reassessment after initially being charged with murder.
Under California law, juveniles cannot be held in detention beyond the age of 25. Jester’s original sentence was structured to align with this limitation, ensuring his release from juvenile custody by that age. The new four-year sentence for the fentanyl smuggling will now be served concurrently, effectively extending his incarceration until he reaches the maximum age for juvenile holding or completes the combined sentences, whichever comes later. The transfer to a state prison signifies a more significant consequence for his recent actions.
The fourth individual involved in the shooting was 17 years old at the time. In 2023, this minor pleaded guilty to charges of voluntary manslaughter and home invasion burglary, resulting in a sentence of four years and two months in juvenile detention. The varying sentences reflect the complexities of juvenile justice, the specific roles each individual played, and the evolving legal landscape surrounding youthful offenders. The ongoing repercussions of Pop Smoke’s murder continue to highlight the devastating impact of violence and the intricate pathways of the justice system for young people caught in its grip.
