Renowned rap artist NBA YoungBoy, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, is preparing to enter a guilty plea in his federal weapons case. The case, which originates from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will likely be transferred to Utah for further proceedings, a move intended to streamline the legal process for the rapper, who is currently dealing with multiple criminal charges in Utah.
This development comes after Gaulden's defense attorney, Drew Findling, filed the necessary paperwork earlier this week to have the case transferred. Gaulden is facing a charge of possession of firearms by a convicted felon, a charge that stems from a 2020 incident during a music video shoot in Baton Rouge. According to police, they received reports of a group waving firearms on Choctaw Drive, which led to the roundup of Gaulden and more than a dozen others.
Authorities allege that Gaulden was found in possession of two firearms: a 9 mm handgun and a .45-caliber Glock. The charge has serious implications for the rapper, who is legally prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2016 felony conviction related to a shootout. Although a second felony charge tied to the possession of a non-registered firearm was dismissed in March, the remaining charge still carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison, fines, and supervised release.
The transfer of the case to Utah could offer logistical convenience for Gaulden and his legal team. The rapper is currently facing several criminal charges in both Cache County and Weber County, Utah, related to his alleged involvement in a "large-scale prescription drug fraud ring" that reportedly targeted multiple pharmacies across the state.
Gaulden has been residing in Utah with the court's permission after Chief Judge Shelly Dick allowed him to live out of state while his Baton Rouge case proceeded. The request was granted after the defense presented a plan for Gaulden's supervision and rehabilitation in Utah. Judge Dick had also recently agreed to delay the case as a higher court deliberates on a significant legal question: whether a convicted felon's Second Amendment rights outweigh current laws prohibiting felons from handling and possessing firearms and ammunition.
With the case now set to move to Utah, Gaulden's legal future remains uncertain. His next court appearance in Weber County is scheduled for August 29, followed by a court date in Cache County on September 23. Should Gaulden proceed with his guilty plea once the case is transferred, the proceedings will continue in Utah. However, if he decides not to follow through with the plea agreement, the case could be sent back to the Middle District of Louisiana.
At this time, Attorney Drew Findling has not provided any additional comments regarding the case or the potential plea deal. However, the legal strategy of moving the case to Utah suggests that Gaulden's defense team is working to address his multiple legal challenges in a more coordinated manner.
As one of the most popular and prolific rappers of his generation, NBA YoungBoy's legal battles have been closely watched by his fans and the broader music industry. His ability to navigate these challenges may ultimately shape the trajectory of his career moving forward.
