Rapper Bankroll Freddie speaks out after 12.5-year prison sentence: "Racism is real in my state"

Rapper Bankroll Freddie received a 12.5-year sentence for charges tied to his 2022 arrest.

Rapper Bankroll Freddie has been sentenced to 12.5 years on multiple charges related to his 2022 arrest. A press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office on Friday, November 1, stated that his charges included marijuana possession and distribution, firearm possession in connection with drug trafficking, and using a telephone to further a drug trafficking crime.

The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge James M. Moody, Jr., who also ordered Freddie to serve three years of supervised release and imposed a $242,000 judgment as part of his conviction.

Bankroll Freddie responded to his sentencing with a statement on Instagram on November 4, 2024, along with a photo. He set the background to Lil Baby's song The Bigger Picture and wrote that he would not be serving prison time for the marijuana and gun charges. He also stated:

"These Prosecutors And Judges Have A Vendetta Against Me In My State For Fighting Them… Every Charge I Beat On My Case They Gave Me Upward Variance … If That's The Case I Could Of Just Copied The Plea For Less Time Then That Come On Make It Make Sense… The Judge & Prosecutors Mad I Went To Trial & Beat 7 Out Of 10 Charges & I Didn't Bow Down To Them."

Freddie further described the punishment as "cruel & unusual," adding that he has five children who care deeply for him. He expressed his intention to fight back, stating:

"Its People With Way Worser Charges Then Me Criminal History Terrible & Got Less Time Then Me This Is Personal They Got Some Personal Against Me & This Ain't Right … We Gotta Stand Up. Racism Is Real Especially In My State Arkansas… Its People Got Less Time For Murder Than I Got For Marijuana."

Freddie, whose real name is Freddie Demarus Gladney III, was initially taken into custody in April 2022 on Interstate 55 in Arkansas. He was transported to the Crittenden County Detention Center following a stop by the Arkansas State Police for speeding.

During a search of his vehicle, officers found firearms, including a privately made "ghost gun," along with seven ammunition magazines, a bag of marijuana, and $33,662 in cash.

Freddie was also indicted in May last year as part of an FBI investigation focused on a gang called Every Body Killas (EBK). This investigation led to the arrests of Freddie's father, Freddie Gladney Jr., and 34 others.