NBA YoungBoy, the Baton Rouge rapper who’s become as well-known for his legal troubles as his chart-topping hits, is about to make a major move in his ongoing battle with the law. According to reports, YB is gearing up to enter a guilty plea in his federal gun case, signalling a potential shift in his legal strategy.
Earlier this year, NBA YoungBoy, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, found himself in hot water once again. While already under house arrest in Utah, awaiting trial for a federal weapons charge, the rapper was nabbed in connection with an alleged prescription drug fraud scheme. This latest arrest added to the growing list of legal issues that have plagued him for the past few years.
The federal weapons charge he’s currently facing stems from a 2020 music video shoot in Baton Rouge, where police allegedly discovered YB in possession of a 9mm handgun and a .45-caliber Glock. Given his status as a felon—thanks to a 2016 shootout—he’s legally barred from possessing firearms. This charge has been hanging over his head like a dark cloud ever since.
Now, as reported by WAFB, it seems that NBA YoungBoy is ready to plead guilty in this federal gun case. His attorney, Drew Findling, reportedly filed the necessary paperwork earlier this week to have the case transferred from Baton Rouge to Utah. The likely reason? Convenience. With various charges already pending in both Cache County and Weber County, Utah, it makes sense for YB to want to consolidate his legal battles closer to home.
Once the case is transferred to Utah, YB is expected to follow through with his guilty plea. If he doesn’t, the case will be shipped back to Louisiana, adding yet another layer of complexity to his legal woes. Should he plead guilty, the rapper could be staring down the barrel of up to 10 years in prison, hefty fines, and a period of supervised release.
A couple of days ago, Chief Judge Shelly Dick agreed to postpone the case, giving higher courts time to weigh in and provide guidance on how federal gun laws should apply to YB’s situation. It’s a legal limbo that could work in the rapper’s favour—or it could spell disaster.
Main Image: Billboard
