'Love & Hip Hop' star Mendeecees Harris gets 8 years for drug trafficking

VH1's "Love & Hip Hop" New York is tangled in a shocking drug trafficking federal case, New York Daily News reports. Music producer Mendeecees Harris pleaded guilty to drug trafficking back in April, after which he was free on a $600,000 bail. However, he is now facing eight years in prison after he was sentenced in an upstate New York court. According to prosecutors, the 37-year-old was involved in drug trafficking from 2005 to 2012.

Page Six reports that Harris agreed to forfeit the $171,000 he earned from the VH1 reality TV series, as well as the 2011 Audi R8 sports car worth $111,000. Harris' filed a plea agreement that included a maximum sentence of 10 years, and he was sentenced with the lowest possible term of eight years. Donald Thompson, who represents Harris in court, revealed that the judge recognized Harris' efforts to encourage the youth to steer clear of drug trafficking activities since his arrest.

The music producer's wife, Yandy Smith-Harris, took to Instagram to thank supporters for their thoughts during this difficult time.

"You have no idea how much your love and encouragement means," Smith-Harris wrote. "We finally have closure and are prepared and ready for all the future holds. God and love always prevails."

Harris also took to Instagram to admit his faults and share a thoughtful message. He wrote, "I want you all to understand something. I completely accept responsibility for all that is going on."

"My transition to be a better person a productive person started well before this case. However in my past I made some bad decisions," he admitted.

"Young men let my life be an example to you now before it's too late," the producer wrote. "Better who you are now in your children's lives and in society so you can change the path of your fate."

Harris also shared that having a difficult past should not be an excuse to commit crimes. He wrote, "It doesn't make the pain your family [feel] any different."

He encouraged his followers, "Young man, educate yourself and break the cycle. Don't become a number on the DOA (dead on arrival) list or on the incarceration list."

Harris also thanked his family, friends, and fans for their support through this tough time. The reality TV star believes that this is yet another challenge in his journey, and his hopeful for the future.

"Love & Hip Hop" returns to VH1 with a new season beginning December 14 at 8/7c.