Cuban artist Yosvani Sierra Hernández, also known as Chocolate MC, is set to face a judge after allegedly orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot targeting Damian Valdez Galloso, the principal suspect in the fatal shooting of his friend and fellow Cuban artist El Taiger.
According to court filings, between December 1 and December 31, 2024, Chocolate MC allegedly used social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube to issue written threats against Valdez Galloso. The Miami‑Dade County Prosecutor's Office asserts that these threats included attempts to recruit fellow inmates from the county jail to carry out a retaliatory killing. In May 2025, prosecutors also revealed that Chocolate MC offered thousands of dollars to anyone willing to kill an inmate accused of El Taiger's murder.
Additionally, an earlier incident captured on surveillance showed him allegedly abducting a fan at gunpoint in Opa‑Locka, forcing the fan to drive him and demanding money via Zelle, resulting in armed robbery and kidnapping charges.
Beyond the courtroom, Chocolate MC professes a spiritual transformation. In a prison-originated message published August 20, 2025, he declared he has "found God," renounced "false idolatries," and committed himself to faith. This came as the legal process continued to escalate.
During a continuation hearing the same day, Chocolate appeared in the red uniform reserved for high-risk inmates, handcuffed and shackled. His sister, Isis Arislén Sierra, emotionally shared: "Sad, very sad... if my mom sees this, she would die," reflecting the family's distress at witnessing his condition."
Galloso, initially identified by police as a person of interest in the murder of El Taiger in early October 2024, fled the scene of the crime, was found in New York City, and taken to Miami. A convicted sex offender, he had failed to register after his prior release from jail as required by law.
Police identified him shortly after José Manuel Carvajal, El Taiger's legal name, was found on October 3 after being shot in the head inside a black Mercedes-Benz SUV near Jackson Memorial Hospital, which houses the city's top trauma unit. According to police reports, the murder was believed to have occurred elsewhere, with the victim then transported in the SUV to a location near the hospital.
The Cuban artist passed away after spending seven days in critical condition with irreversible brain damage on October 10, never regaining consciousness. Fans in Cuba and abroad held vigils and special gatherings to mourn. His funeral took place in Miami, and his ashes were returned to his homeland following cremation.
Originally published on Latin Times
