(Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
NBA YoungBoy is closing the chapter on drug charges he racked up in Utah earlier this year. On Monday (Nov. 18), the rapper pleaded guilty to his role in a prescription drug fraud ring in the state, per the Associated Press.
After authorities arrested him in April, prosecutors recommended that YoungBoy — real name Kentrell Gaulden — face 63 charges. Their charges included identity fraud, obtaining a prescription under false pretenses, forgery, possession of a weapon and controlled substance, and engaging in a pattern of criminal activity. Ultimately, Utah prosecutors settled on 46 related charges.
The 25-year-old opted for the guilty plea on two counts of third-degree identity fraud, two counts of felony forgery, and six counts of unlawful pharmacy conduct. He entered “no contest” to his remaining charges, per AP. Also, KTVX-TV reports that the rapper’s four felony charges were reduced to misdemeanors.
So, what does this mean for Kentrell? Well, first things first, we won’t serve jail time. However, he will have to pay a $25,000 fine. Despite being accused of running the drug ring from his house, the judge allowed him to go home on Monday. District Judge Spencer Walsh agreed to suspend a prison sentence in this case, given NBA YoungBoy’s other pending case with the state. According to AP News, Kentrell is likely facing a 27-month federal prison sentence for charges in Weber County, Utah.
“This is somewhat of a unique case where there have been multiple jurisdictions involved both in the federal and the state systems,” state prosecutor Ronnie Keller said. “This is just really a smaller cog in the bigger wheel of ultimately seeking justice.”
After he’s released for those federal charges, Judge Walsh says Kentrell will be on five years of federal supervised probation. On Monday, the judge credited YoungBoy as talented and shared aspirational words for him. At the end, YoungBoy replied, “Thank you.”
“I’ve seen so many times that you have young men and women who have a lot of talent and potential. That they can be robbed of that potential when they start to really struggle with their addiction. I don’t want that for you. You seem like a very talented young man. I’m hoping, in your future, that once you’re done with your federal prison time that you can be really successful on federal probation and have a really bright future where you can reach your full potential in every aspect of your life. Best of luck to you,” the judge said.
For context, NBA YoungBoy has been living in Utah under arrest since his involvement in a 2019 shooting in Miami. His move to the state was part of a plea deal he struck in 2021. At the time, his lawyers reportedly argued that moving to Utah would “keep [the rapper] out of trouble.”
