NBA Youngboy may have to serve 10 years in prison if his probation is revoked. Youngboy violated the terms of his probation after he was caught on surveillance beating his girlfriend Jania at a hotel in Waycross, GA.
Youngboy, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, was booked into Leon County Jail and later extradited to Georgia’s Ware County Jail.
Youngboy’s charges include two felonies, including kidnapping and aggravated assault (family violence), Billboard reports.
Prosecutors are seeking to send Youngboy away for the decade-long term.
East Baton Rouge Parish Assistant District Attorney April Leon told the court during Youngboy’s most recent hearing that that the rapper is a “threat to society and the safety of others,” according to court documents obtained by the New Orleans Advocate.
In August 2017, Youngboy was given three years probation for attempted murder charges.
A judge suspended the Baton Rouge rapper’s 10-year prison term and placed him on three years of active supervised probation for his role in a November 2016 drive-by shooting, the New Orleans Advocate reports.
One of the special conditions of Youngboy’s probation in Louisiana is that he remains arrest-and conviction-free.
Youngboy’s attorney, James Manasseh, told the Advocate Monday he has been in contact with Georgia officials.
“It’s serious, but it’s not nearly as severe as it’s been made out to be,” he said, adding that revoking Youngboy’s probation would not be appropriate. “There’s no kidnapping. There’s no weapons involved.”
Leon asked the judge to conduct a probation revocation hearing on May 18. She asked that Youngboy be held in custody until such a hearing is conducted.
The probation revocation motion says the kidnapping arrest involved “domestic violence against a dating partner.”
Another special condition of Youngboy’s probation is that he perform 250 hours of community service or record a public service announcement against the promotion of violence in rap music.
Youngboy was 17 at the time of his court hearing when he was granted a second chance at life. He apologized for his role in the shooting that left a friend with a gunshot wound to his neck.
Youngboy pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated assault with a firearm three months prior to the hearing after confessing to firing a gun multiple times during the November 2, 2016 drive-by shooting. Youngboy’s plea allowed him to bond out on $50,000 in May 2017.
The “38 Baby” rapper was initially facing two counts of attempted second-degree murder.
Youngboy could’ve faced a fine up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment up to 10 years, according Louisiana Law.
Youngboy has District Judge Bonnie Jackson to thank for the leniency of his punishment. Jackson had a stern talk with Youngboy during the sentencing.
“I wasn’t very happy with the circumstances of your case, not at all,” Jackson told Youngboy, according to The Advocate.
Youngboy replied, “I take full responsibility for what happened. I’m sorry. It wasn’t supposed to go that way.”
Jackson told Youngboy he “went looking for trouble and found it.” The judge said the rapper is lucky he didn’t end up facing a second-degree murder charge.
“Fortunately, you all were bad shots,” she said.
Jackson told Youngboy she didn’t care about his career as a rapper, saying his genre of music “normalized violence.”
“Your genre has a lot to do with the mindset people have,” she said.
Jackson noted that Youngboy now lives in New Orleans.
“You know how much killing is taking place in New Orleans,” she said. “Baton Rouge isn’t much better. That’s the environment we’re living in.”
Meek Mill suggested Youngboy leave Baton Rouge upon his release from jail. The
Youngboy posted footage of himself in a FaceTime call with the Philly emcee.
“You gotta move or you gon die!” Meek said.
Youngboy told Jackson he didn’t kill anyone.
“But you could have,” the judge shot back. “It wasn’t for lack of trying. You weren’t a good shot.”
Jackson told Youngboy with talent comes responsibility because people listen to him.
Youngboy’s attorney, James Manasseh, told the Jackson the rapper is trying to make a difference by providing school supplies for children. He also bought a home for his mother.
“I genuinely find him to be a good-hearted, kind, sweet young man,” Manasseh said.
Jackson frowned upon Youngboy when he told her has three children at age 17, saying it wasn’t a “badge of honor” to have kids with different women.
“It’s only two women,” Youngboy said. “I promise to do right. I’m committed to my family.”
Jackson told Youngboy she sees “value” in him, adding, “I don’t judge you for being a rapper.”
She told Youngboy he has an “obligation” to his audience, adding, “There’s just too much killing.”
Jackson ordered Youngboy to perform 250 hours of community service, which could include an anti-violence public service announcement. He was also fined $5,000.
Jackson ended the sentencing with a final warning to Youngboy, saying, “Failure is not an option.”
The drive-by shooting Youngboy was involved in left one friend with a gunshot wound in the neck, WAFB reports. Youngboy was charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder.
Youngboy was one of three passengers in the vehicle.
A passenger was reportedly shot in the neck during incident. He was left in the vehicle after the vehicle he was in caught a flat tire and crashed. He was transported to a local hospital and has since been released. He had charges filed against him as well
Derrick Guice, the accused 20-year-old driver of the vehicle, was also charged with second-degree murder.
The shooting is believed to be in retaliation for the shooting death of 18-year-old Keondrae Ricks that occurred less than eight hours before the drive-by shooting incident.
NBA Youngboy was arrested in late November 2016 during a performance in Austin, Texas on a felony warrant after his concert was raided. He was booked in Travis County jail on Monday, Nov. 28 on an “undetermined,” out of state felony. He was held without bond.
Youngboy was extradited from Austin to Baton Rouge following his arrest.
A rep from East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, where Youngboy is currently being held, told The Fader he was being held on $200,000 for attempted murder.
The Fader reports Louisiana is one of nine states in the U.S. where 17 year olds can be tried as adults. If convicted of attempted murder, Youngboy could’ve faced life in prison without possibility of parole.
