Rapper NBA YoungBoy, also known as Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, and several of his associates have been accused of operating a large-scale prescription fraud ring in Utah. According to an affidavit filed by an officer for the Cache County Sheriff’s Office, Gaulden is the primary suspect in a scheme that involved posing as a doctor to obtain prescription drugs illegally. The controlled substance in question is promethazine with codeine, commonly used to make a cough syrup-laced drink known as “lean” or “purple drank.”
Gaulden, 24, was arrested on Tuesday on 63 charges, including identity fraud, forgery, and attempting to procure prescription drugs. The charges stem from incidents that occurred between September 2023 and February 2024. The affidavit details instances where Gaulden, or someone posing as a physician, called pharmacies in Hyrum, Logan, and Smithfield to fill fraudulent prescriptions for promethazine with codeine.
The investigation began in January when a suspicious prescription order was called into a Smithfield pharmacy. The real physician, whose identity remains undisclosed, confirmed that he did not place the order. Further investigation led to the arrest of two women, identified as Associates 1 and 2, who arrived at the pharmacy to pick up the prescription on behalf of a “friend.”
Cache County officer Tyson Nielsen, who conducted the investigation, also noted a conversation between Gaulden, his brother (referred to as Associate 3), and himself regarding the prescription medicine for “Gwendolyn Cox.” The affidavit reveals multiple instances of fraudulent activity under the name of a Provo physician, involving prescription requests for promethazine with codeine for elderly patients across various Utah pharmacies.
Gaulden’s Utah mansion was subsequently searched, resulting in the discovery of a gun, two bottles of the antibiotic doxycycline, and several bottles of promethazine with codeine. Gaulden claimed the gun belonged to his wife. All electronic devices in the home were seized, as Gaulden did not provide passwords.
The affidavit alleges that Gaulden’s involvement in this ongoing criminal enterprise, despite being under house arrest since October 2021, is supported by his history of run-ins with the law. Gaulden has faced previous arrests for aggravated assault, kidnapping, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
NBA YoungBoy, originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, gained popularity as a rapper by posting his music on YouTube as a teenager. Despite legal troubles, including an alleged connection to a 2016 shooting, Gaulden’s music career continued to thrive. He received a Grammy nomination in 2022 for his work on Tyler, the Creator’s song “Wusyaname.”
1 Response
This is absolutely outrageous! It is beyond disheartening to see yet another celebrity involved in illegal activities. NBA YoungBoy, who is supposed to be a role model for his fans, is now facing serious accusations of operating a prescription fraud ring. This is not only illegal but also incredibly dangerous.
Prescription drug abuse is already a major problem in our society, and for someone with such influence and reach to be involved in such criminal activities is simply unacceptable. Young people look up to NBA YoungBoy,