Rapper NBA YoungBoy Pleads Guilty to Utah Prescription Drug Fraud Ring

NBA YoungBoy has pleaded guilty to his involvement in a Utah-based prescription drug fraud ring.

Born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, the 25-year-old rapper, who is still serving 27 months on federal charges, had his case dismissed Monday, Nov. 18, by Utah First District Judge Spencer Walsh, KSL reported.

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Appearing in a Logan City courtroom, Gaulden pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree identity fraud, two counts of third-degree forgery and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful conduct in a pharmacy. He pleaded no contest to the remaining charges, according to ABC 4.

According to KSL, Judge Walsh told the Baton Rouge, La., resident that he will not face additional jail time or probation, but will have to pay a $25,000 fine as part of the plea deal.

NBA Youngboy Benjamin Crump Awards January 2020

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Walsh reportedly wished the “House Arrest Tingz” rapper luck and said he seems “like a very talented young man.”

Gaulden’s attorney, Jon Williams, spoke with federal prosecutors before the plea deal and said that in addition to the 27 months his client is already serving, the NBA YoungBoy will also have 60 months, or five years, of probation upon his release from federal prison, according to KSL .

“This is somewhat of a unique case where multiple jurisdictions were involved in both the federal and state systems,” State’s Attorney Ronnie Keller said, ABC 4 reported. “This is really just a smaller cog in a larger wheel of ultimately seeking justice.”

Keller also provided insight into how authorities learned of Gaulden’s prescription drug fraud ring, saying officers arrested five people after they used Gaulden’s vehicle to pick up a fake prescription.

NBA YoungBoy performs during Lil WeezyAna Fest, New Orleans, 2018.

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Authorities also learned that someone pretending to be Gwendolyn White had called a local pharmacy for a prescription but could not provide an exact year of birth. KSL added that the person’s voice was “recognized by multiple pharmacists matching different names.”

In addition to the five people in his car, authorities also said there was a prescription in Gaulden’s name with an incorrect birthday, as well as prescription bottles in his possession that turned out to be fake.

Gaulden initially faced 46 state charges, but most were dismissed as part of the settlement, KSL reported.

NBA YoungBoy performs on stage during the Lil Baby & Friends concert to promote the new release of Lil Baby’s new album “Street Gossip” on November 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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According to ABC 4, the Louisiana rapper’s move to Utah was done to “keep YoungBoy out of trouble” after he was allegedly involved in a shooting in Miami in 2019.

“I have seen so many times where you have young men and women who have a lot of talent and potential. That potential can be taken away from them when they start really struggling with their addictions,” Walsh told Gaulden on Monday. “I don’t want that for you.”

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“I’m sure that in your future, after you finish your federal prison term, you will be able to be really successful on federal parole and have a really bright future where you can reach your full potential in every aspect of your life. I wish you the best of luck, Mr. Gaulden,” he added.

Gaulden’s attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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Source: HIS Education