Boosie Badazz asks judge for probation instead of prison in federal gun case

Rapper Boosie Badazz seeks leniency at sentencing, requesting probation and community service after pleading guilty

Rapper Boosie Badazz has asked a federal judge to sentence him to probation rather than prison when he appears for sentencing later this week on a gun-related conviction.

According to court filings obtained by Rolling Stone, the Louisiana-based artist, whose legal name is Torence Hatch, submitted a sentencing memorandum late Monday requesting two years of structured probation and 300 hours of community service. Hatch pleaded guilty in August 2025 to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In the filing, Hatch and his attorney, Meghan Blanco, argue that the incident stemmed from a single lapse in judgment rather than ongoing criminal behavior. The memo states that Hatch had gone roughly a decade without criminal conduct before the incident and that the offense was nonviolent, isolated, and resulted in no injuries or identified victims.

Federal prosecutors, however, have recommended a prison sentence of 24 months, according to their own sentencing memorandum filed Friday. While significantly more than Hatch’s request, the proposed sentence is lower than the 46 months recommended by federal probation officials in a presentence report.

Prosecutors acknowledged mitigating factors, including Hatch’s decision to plead guilty and details of his difficult upbringing. They noted that Hatch experienced domestic violence in his household as a child, was affected by his father’s death from a brain tumor, and struggled with behavioral issues and early substance use.

While recognizing these factors, prosecutors also cited Hatch’s extensive criminal history, which includes prior convictions related to assault, firearms, drug offenses, and resisting arrest. Nevertheless, they agreed that the gun offense did not involve violence or identifiable victims and noted that Hatch has remained employed throughout the legal proceedings.

Hatch’s filing also states that he was carrying a firearm for personal protection following a prior shooting incident in Texas, which his defense says heightened concerns for his safety. The memo describes Hatch as someone who has taken responsibility for what it characterizes as a serious but isolated mistake.

The case originated in June 2023 after San Diego police identified Hatch in an Instagram Live video showing him with a firearm. According to prosecutors, officers later stopped his vehicle and recovered two loaded 9mm handguns. Authorities said Hatch initially denied possessing any weapons, but DNA evidence linked him to both firearms, which were reportedly purchased in Georgia by his girlfriend.

After an initial indictment was dismissed on procedural grounds, a second indictment was issued in July 2024. Hatch pleaded guilty to the felon-in-possession charge on August 26, while the remaining charge was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Hatch is scheduled to be sentenced Friday before U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo.