YoungBoy Never Broke Again to plead guilty to federal gun charge, resolving long-standing case

Rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, also known as NBA YoungBoy, has indicated his intent to plead guilty to a federal gun charge, according to new court documents filed on August 14. The charge, which stems from a 2020 incident in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, involves possession of firearms by a convicted felon. YoungBoy, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, informed a federal judge of his decision, stating, “I wish to plead guilty to the offense charged.”

The case, which has kept YoungBoy under house arrest in his Salt Lake City home for more than two years, had seen numerous delays, including a pause in proceedings to await a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on a significant gun-control case. The plea deal could potentially bring a resolution to the long-standing case, although it remains unclear whether it will result in a reduced sentence. YoungBoy’s attorney has not yet commented on the plea.

The rapper was initially indicted in 2021 after federal prosecutors alleged he was found with two firearms during the 2020 incident. His previous conviction in 2017 for aggravated assault with a firearm made it illegal for him to possess guns under federal law.

While this plea resolves the federal gun charge, YoungBoy still faces multiple new state charges in Utah. In April, he was arrested for allegedly operating a “large-scale prescription fraud ring” while under house arrest. These charges include identity fraud, forgery, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, and possession of a controlled substance. YoungBoy was released on bond in May, but the timeline for when he might face trial on these new charges remains uncertain​