Lamari House, 2020’s convicted murderer of James Nelson Crayton, was sentenced to 45 years in prison following his involvement in multiple crimes, including gang participation, fraud, and drug distribution.
At a sentencing hearing on Friday, Judge S. Anderson Nelson of Mecklenburg County Circuit Court handed down a 42-year sentence for two drug-related charges, with all but two years suspended. For charges of fraud and racketeering, House received a 40-year sentence, also with all time suspended. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for participating in a gang, with nine years suspended.
The most significant charge involved the murder of Crayton. House was sentenced to 40 years for murder by mob, with 10 years suspended. In addition, he received 10 years, six suspended, for conspiracy to commit murder. There were also mandatory sentences of three years for using a firearm in a felony and five years for using a firearm in a second felony offense.
In total, House was given a 150-year sentence, with 45 years to be served actively.
Earlier this year, House was convicted of murder by mob, malicious wounding by mob, and multiple firearms offenses. He was acquitted of first and second-degree murder charges, as no direct evidence connected him to the shooting that killed Crayton.
Ahead of his trial, House pled guilty to several unrelated charges, including fraud and drug possession. Specifically, he admitted to fraudulent claims under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was part of the federal relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2020 and 2022, House, who didn’t operate a business, illegally filed claims for funds meant for small businesses.
Additionally, House participated in a scheme to fraudulently obtain unemployment benefits, pocketing 50% of the proceeds. Investigators found that House defrauded the government of $234,364.49.
At sentencing, Prosecutor Allen Nash called for a 61-year sentence, citing House’s extensive criminal history, including his gang involvement and the murder of Crayton. Defense attorney Vaughan Jones countered by describing House as an “upstanding citizen” before his criminal descent and suggested a sentence of 33 years.
The murder of Crayton was described as a revenge killing over a minor dispute. Crayton’s death occurred at a Halloween party in La Crosse, Virginia, where House, an aspiring rapper, had been scheduled to perform. House, a member of the Nine Trey BBA gang (a faction of the Bloods), led a group of gang members to the party, armed with weapons. Over 70 shots were fired, and Crayton was struck by nine bullets. House was unapologetic after the killing, even boasting about it on social media.
Both Nash and Jones presented witnesses at sentencing. Nash called Crayton’s sister, who expressed the ongoing pain caused by her brother’s death, while Jones called House’s mother, who described her son’s efforts to reform.
During the hearing, House read a statement taking “full responsibility” for his actions, though he did not specify which crimes he meant. He apologized for his thefts and vowed to repay the stolen money and give back to the community.
In his final remarks, Judge Nelson acknowledged the complexity of the case and expressed that no sentence could bring back Crayton or undo the harm caused. Despite this, Nelson imposed a 45-year active sentence for House, along with a 150-year period of good behavior and restitution of $234,364.49 to be paid within 30 years.
House is also prohibited from owning firearms for 25 years and will have no contact with certain individuals, including the Crayton family and other gang members. House’s defense team plans to appeal the conviction related to the murder charge, though the other guilty pleas are not subject to appeal.