NBA YoungBoy Pleads Guilty in Drug Fraud Case

Rapper NBA YoungBoy, real name Kentrell Gaulden, pleaded guilty on November 18 to charges related to a prescription drug fraud scheme he allegedly operated from his home in Utah. Initially facing 63 charges, he was convicted on two counts of third-degree felony identity fraud, two counts of third-degree felony forgery, and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful pharmacy conduct, with a plea deal reducing his felony charges to misdemeanors. As part of the agreement, he was fined $25,000 and will not serve time in a Utah state prison; however, he faces a substantial 27-month sentence in federal prison for related firearm charges. Following his release, he will be on five years of federal supervised probation. The case highlights the rapper's ongoing legal troubles, exacerbated by his prior criminal record, including a firearm possession conviction. Judge Spencer Walsh emphasized the potential for wasted talent due to addiction struggles among young artists like YoungBoy.