MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Hernandez Govan, the man acquitted of being the mastermind behind the murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph, is pleading not guilty to his charge of cyberstalking.
Memphis Police arrested Govan on June 11 on state stalking and harassment charges, a misdemeanor. He was released the next day on a $4,000 bond.
Twelve hours later, federal authorities arrested him on the same charges, which carry a five-year prison sentence in the federal system.
His attorney, Claiborne Ferguson, called the timing of the federal charges “highly suspicious” following Govan’s acquittal in the Young Dolph case.
Ferguson says this is not the type of case that is usually seen in federal court, and that the case is being treated differently because of his past connection to the Young Dolph case.
“Definitely not the type of case that seems like it would be in high public regard, normally,” he said Monday following the plea.
Govan is currently being held without bond, something Ferguson is asking the judge to change so his client can be out of jail.
“He has confidence in the system,” Ferguson said. “He thinks that at the end of the day, his name will be exonerated.”
He says the case is not complicated and that it simply involves someone borrowing money from Govan and not using it for the agreed-upon reason.
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