Rapper NBA Youngboy pleads guilty for his involvement in prescription drug fraud operation

American rapper, NBA YoungBoy has pleaded guilty for his involvement in a prescription drug fraud ring based out of Utah. 

The 25-year-old rapper, who is still serving 27 months on federal charges, had his case dismissed by Utah 1st District Judge Spencer Walsh on Monday, Nov. 18, KSL reported. 

Appearing in a Logan City courtroom, Gaulden pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree felony identity fraud, two counts of third-degree felony forgery, and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful pharmacy conduct. He entered a “no contest” plea for the remaining charges, per ABC 4.

According to KSL, Judge Walsh told the Baton Rouge, La., native he would not face additional jail time or probation, but would be required to pay a $25,000 fine as part of his plea deal.

Walsh reportedly wished the “House Arrest Tingz” rapper good luck and said he seemed “like a very talented young man.”

Gaulden’s attorney, Jon Williams, spoke with federal prosecutors ahead of the plea deal and said in addition to the 27 months his client is already serving, NBA YoungBoy will also have 60 months, or five years, of probation following his federal prison release, per KSL. 

“This is somewhat of a unique case where there have been multiple jurisdictions involved both in the federal and the state systems,” state prosecutor Ronnie Keller said, ABC 4 reported. “This is just really a smaller cog in the bigger wheel of ultimately seeking justice.”

Authorities uncovered the prescription drug fraud scheme after five people were arrested for using Gaulden’s car to collect a fraudulent prescription. 

Investigators found that a caller using the name Gwendolyn White contacted a pharmacy about a prescription but was unable to provide a correct birth year. KSL noted that several pharmacists recognized the caller’s voice, which was linked to different first names. 

In addition to the individuals found in his car, authorities discovered a prescription under Gaulden’s name with a mismatched birth date and fraudulent prescription bottles in his possession. 

Gaulden initially faced 46 state charges, but the majority were dropped as part of the plea agreement, as reported by KSL.