Kentrell Gaulden, known in music circles as YoungBoy Never Broke Again, was granted a pardon by Donald Trump while serving a 23-month sentence related to federal gun charges. This pardon, announced on May 28, came alongside others, including one for former gang leader Larry Hoover from Chicago.
The 25-year-old rapper recently shared news of a 32-date national tour, which will begin in September. This tour marks his first major tour as the headline act and signals a fresh chapter in his career.
Back in November, Gaulden entered a guilty plea for his involvement in a drug-related operation tied to a Utah pharmacy. His charges in that matter included identity fraud and forgery, both felonies. However, they were reduced to misdemeanors.
Previous Legal Case and Sentence Outcome
He avoided prison for that offense by paying a fine of $25,000. But by December, in a related case under federal law involving weapons, he was handed a 23-month prison sentence, placed on five years probation, and fined $200,000. This was connected to his “Make No Sense” case.
Authorities in Utah arrested Gaulden while he was under house arrest in April 2024. According to inmate records reviewed at that time, the arrest took place in Cache County and involved six different allegations.
These included unlawful conduct, attempting to acquire drugs illegally, identity fraud, forgery, possession of banned substances, and having a dangerous weapon while being a restricted person. KSL-TV later confirmed that he was taken into federal custody and formally charged.
History of Criminal Charges
Throughout his career, the rapper has faced several legal problems. At the age of 17 in 2016, he was charged in two separate attempted murder cases. These were later downgraded to aggravated assault using a firearm. He received a 10-year prison sentence that was suspended and was placed on probation.
His legal troubles continued. He faced charges related to assault and kidnapping in 2018, a civil suit for assault and battery in 2019, and was linked to a shooting in Miami that same year.
In 2020, federal authorities charged Gaulden in Louisiana for drug and gun offenses. That case led to another arrest in March 2021, this time in Los Angeles, where he was accused of possessing a weapon illegally.
After going through trial in July 2022, he was cleared of those charges. But in early 2024, he pleaded guilty to a different gun-related federal offense, according to documents examined by USA TODAY.
Career Growth and Musical Success
YoungBoy began attracting attention in 2014 through his debut mixtape titled Life Before Fame. Since then, he has built a strong following with hit tracks like Slime Examination, Don’t Try This at Home, Outside Today, and No Smoke.
His newest release, Shot Callin, has now joined that list of popular songs and continues to reflect his strong presence in the music industry.
