A 23-year-old man suspected in the death of 28-year-old Dallas rapper Melvin Noble – also known as MO3 – has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
Federal court records showed Kewon Dontrell White, 23, pleaded guilty to the federal gun charges on May 19.
On December 10, 2020, the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas announced White’s indictment for a gun crime.
According to the announcement, a complaint filed in November 2010 showed law enforcement officers had tried to pull White over for a traffic violation on August 16, 2020. However, the 23-year-old fled the scene on a dirt bike and later on foot.
Lancaster police pursued the 23-year-old and found a 9 mm pistol in his pants pocket after arresting him.
White has had several run-ins with the law before his August 2020 arrest. The 23-year-old had previously been sentenced to three years in prison for fleeing officers in a stolen vehicle. He also received additional 18-month-sentences in two other incidents for unauthorized use of a vehicle.
It is not clear if White’s gun charge was related to his alleged murder of MO3. However, Dallas PD announced on December 9, 2020, that it determined the 23-year-old is a suspected shooter in the rapper’s death.
Dallas PD made the announcement the same day White was arrested and one day before the 23-year-old was indicted on the gun charge.
Officers responded to a shooting call on northbound I-35 at Clarendon Drive on November 11, 2020, at approximately 12:00 p.m. Officers found the victim, who was later identified as MO3, and transferred him to a nearby hospital.
Dallas police said MO3 had been traveling northbound on I-35 when the shooter, who authorities believe to be White, approached the rapper in a dark color 2014-2015 Chevy Camaro.
Police said White exited his car, holding a firearm, and approached the rapper’s vehicle. MO3 then got out of his car and fled on foot southward on the freeway.
Authorities revealed that the suspect ran after MO3 and shot the rapper multiple times. Police said the suspect also struck another innocent bystander who was sitting in his car.
The second victim recovered from his injury. Police did not reveal his identity.
Dallas police determined White to be the suspected shooter after a witness contacted detectives and told them of the 23-year-old’s involvement. Detectives also obtained evidence that placed White in MO3’s vicinity before and during the shooter.
The trial for White’s murder charge has not been scheduled. He was also charged with aggravated assault in the second victim’s shooting.
White is facing life in prison with the possibility of parole if found guilty. His lawyer could not be reached for comment.
Dallas police also arrested Devin Maurice Brown, 28, in connection to the rapper’s shooting.
According to Brown’s arrest warrant affidavit, a witness told authorities that Brown had been upset over a relationship that involved MO3 and the witness.
Brown admitted to being upset over a Facebook video that involved MO3 and that he had recently learned that the victim was dating a “known witness.”
However, Brown denied any involvement in the rapper’s death. He also denied that he knew White or had any association with him.
Brown, who federal prosecutors described as a “known affiliate” of White, was also indicted on federal gun charges the same day as the 23-year-old. Brown was also charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
No update was given on Brown’s charges.
Dallas police did not charge Brown in relation to MO3’s death until April 24, 2021.