26 August 2026
A federal judge has ruled that prosecutors can use evidence from Lil Durk’s seized cellphone at trial, and newly unsealed documents reveal the Chicago rapper allegedly rejected a peace offer from Quando Rondo’s camp with a chilling threat involving a machine gun. The ruling, handed down in a Los Angeles federal courtroom, denies defense motions to suppress phone data obtained during the investigation into the 2022 murder of Lil Pab, a close associate of Quando Rondo. Prosecutors say the phone contains a December 25, 2022 text thread in which Durk told co-conspirators he refused to squash the rivalry, writing, “Call me about peace. Take the piece of this switch.” The phrase “take the piece of this switch” is a reference to a machine gun, according to court documents, echoing the weapon used in the August 2022 gas station shooting that killed Lil Pab as he stood beside Quando Rondo. Durk allegedly followed the text with a voice message reiterating his intent to see Quando Rondo dead, saying, “Your homie Quando’s rap name can die.” The judge’s decision to allow the phone evidence marks a major victory for federal prosecutors, who have built a conspiracy case against Durk and several co-defendants. The indictment charges them with plotting to kill Taekwon Bowman, known as Quando Rondo, and others believed responsible for the 2020 murder of Chicago rapper King Von, whose real name was Dayvon Bennett. Durk’s legal team had argued the phone was seized without proper warrant and that the evidence was tainted. But the judge ruled the search was lawful, clearing the way for prosecutors to present the messages at trial. The government has acknowledged they currently only have four screenshots from the device, but the ruling allows them to continue attempting to crack the phone’s encryption. The text thread, labeled “the family” in court filings, includes Durk and co-defendants discussing the conspiracy. In one exchange, Durk allegedly admitted that “crazy blood ninjas don’t slide or hurt, leaving it all up to us,” a statement prosecutors argue is a direct admission of involvement in Lil Pab’s murder. The thread also shows co-conspirators discussing their suspicions that a witness was ready to cooperate with authorities. Prosecutors plan to call multiple cooperating witnesses who have entered plea agreements requiring them to testify truthfully. The government says these witnesses will provide firsthand accounts of Durk’s leadership role in the conspiracy and his motive to avenge King Von’s death. The trial is expected to last up to two weeks, with coverage limited to reporters inside the courtroom. The case has drawn intense scrutiny from the hip-hop community, with many noting the irony of Durk’s alleged threat referencing a “switch” given that Lil Pab was killed by a machine gun equipped with a switch. Quando Rondo, who witnessed the shooting and held Lil Pab as he died, has spoken publicly about the trauma, saying it changed him forever. Durk remains in federal custody without bail. His defense team, led by high-profile attorneys Drew Findling and Brian Steel, has vowed to fight the charges. Findling has previously argued that the evidence is circumstantial and that Durk was not directly involved in any violence. But the new texts, if admitted, could prove devastating. The judge also ruled that both sides can call expert witnesses, though the government has indicated it may trim its witness list from 35 to as few as 27. The trial is set to begin in the coming weeks, with jury selection expected to start soon. Legal analysts say the phone evidence ruling significantly strengthens the prosecution’s case. Outside the courthouse, supporters of Durk gathered, holding signs that read “Free Durk” and “Justice for Von.” But the mood was somber as news of the threatening texts spread online. Social media erupted with reactions, with many calling the messages “mafia-like” and comparing Durk to a mob boss. The case has also reignited debates about the intersection of hip-hop and street violence. King Von’s murder in Atlanta in 2020 sparked a bitter feud between Durk’s OTF crew and Quando Rondo’s camp. Lil Pab’s killing in Los Angeles was widely seen as retaliation, though no one has been convicted in that case. Prosecutors allege the conspiracy continued even after Lil Pab’s death, with Durk and his co-defendants stalking Quando Rondo across multiple states. The government says they tracked his movements and discussed plans to kill him, using encrypted messaging apps to avoid detection. Durk’s co-defendants include individuals identified only as “Coco Number 4” and “Coco Number 5” in court documents, as well as defendant Wilson. All have pleaded not guilty. The trial is expected to feature testimony from former associates who have flipped, providing inside details of the alleged plot. The judge’s ruling also allows prosecutors to introduce evidence from Durk’s phone that they have not yet fully accessed. If they manage to crack the encryption, they could uncover additional messages, photos, and location data that further implicate the rapper. Defense lawyers have argued this is a fishing expedition, but the court disagreed. As the legal battle intensifies, the hip-hop world watches closely. Durk, one of the most successful drill rappers of his generation, faces life in prison if convicted. His music often references street loyalty and violence, but the stakes have never been higher. The trial is expected to be one of the most closely watched in recent hip-hop history, with reporters from major outlets vying for seats in the courtroom. Ross, a journalist known for his coverage of the case, has been providing daily updates from inside the courthouse, detailing the arguments and evidence. For now, Durk remains behind bars, his fate in the hands of a jury that will soon hear the full weight of the government’s evidence. The threatening texts, if authentic, paint a picture of a man unwilling to back down, even as the walls close in. The question now is whether his lawyers can poke holes in the prosecution’s narrative or whether the evidence will speak for itself. The case continues to unfold, with pretrial motions still pending. But one thing is clear: the judge’s decision to allow the phone evidence has shifted the momentum firmly in favor of the government. Durk’s team will need a miracle to overcome the damning messages now set to be presented at trial.
