Rapper NBA YoungBoy, also known as Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, found himself in legal trouble once again after being accused of leading a large-scale prescription fraud ring.
The artist was arrested on Tuesday, April 16 following a raid on his property in Utah by federal agents, who had been conducting a months-long investigation into the alleged ring.
The investigation focused on fraudulent activities involving the acquisition of narcotics, primarily codeine and promethazine, from pharmacies across 11 cities in Utah.
Gaulden, who has been under house arrest in Utah since October 2021, was already facing federal gun charges from Louisiana.
The affidavit, as reported by Billboard, stated that Gaulden had been identified as a suspect in the prescription fraud ring by the Cache County Sheriff’s Office.
The ring allegedly attempted or succeeded in obtaining various prescription medications from multiple pharmacies in Cache County and across the state of Utah.
Authorities allege that individuals associated with Gaulden called in prescriptions for promethazine with codeine using a real doctor’s name and identification number.
This combination of narcotics, commonly known as “purple drank” or “lean,” was a focal point of the fraudulent activities. Some of those involved were reportedly recorded as visitors to Gaulden’s mansion.
The charges against Gaulden in connection with the case are extensive, including identity fraud, forgery, and illegal procurement of prescription drugs.
Additional accusations include marijuana possession, possession of a firearm by a restricted person, and engaging in a “pattern of unlawful activity.”
Gaulden is currently held without bail in Cache County jail, facing a total of 63 charges related to the case. Despite his legal troubles, he released a new album titled Compliments Of Grave Digger Mountain last month.
The case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat prescription drug fraud and the serious legal consequences faced by those involved in such activities.
