NBA YoungBoy Pleads Guilty in Prescription Drug Fraud Ring

Rapper NBA YoungBoy pleads guilty to his role in a large-scale prescription drug fraud ring operating out of his Utah home.

Rapper NBA YoungBoywhose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, pleaded guilty on Monday to two counts of third-degree felony identity fraud, two counts of third-degree felony forgery, and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful pharmacy conduct. The 25-year-old was originally charged with 46 charges related to the crime; he entered a “no contest” plea to the remaining charges.

As part of his plea deal, Gaulden will not serve prison time in Utah, with his four felony charges reduced to Class A Misdemeanors while he was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine. Logan District Judge Spencer Walsh agreed to suspend a prison sentence as Gaulden is expected to serve 27 months in federal prison for related charges in Weber County, Utah. After his release, he will then be placed on five years of federal supervised probation.

“This is somewhat of a unique case where there have been multiple jurisdictions involved, both in the federal and state systems,” said state prosecutor Ronnie Keller. “This is just really a smaller cog in the bigger wheel of ultimately seeking justice.”

Kentrell Gaulden has been living in Utah under house arrest after his alleged involvement in a 2019 shooting in Miami. His relocation to Utah came about as part of a deal in 2021, in which his attorneys argued that moving to Utah would “keep YoungBoy out of trouble.”

“I've seen so many times where you have young men and women who have a lot of talent and potential. They can be robbed of that potential when they start to really struggle with their addictions,” Judge Walsh told Gaulden. “I don't want that for you.”

“I'm sure that in your future, once you're done with your federal prison time, 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,” the judge continued. “Best of luck to you, Mr. Gaulden.”

Ace YoungBoy Never Broke AgainGaulden has achieved four #1 albums on the Billboard 200, and one Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. His collaboration with Tyler, The Creator, “Wusyaname,” on which he is featured alongside Ty Dolla $ign, earned him a Grammy nomination in 2022.