American rapper Boosie Badazz, legally known as Torrence Ivy Hatch Jr., is edging closer to a decisive moment in his long-running federal gun case, nearly three years after his highly publicised arrest in San Diego. What began as a routine police stop in May 2023 has transformed into one of the most significant legal battles of the rapper’s career—one that may ultimately send the 42-year-old artist back to prison.
The case dates back to May 6, 2023, when San Diego police arrested Boosie after spotting him on Instagram Live with what appeared to be a handgun tucked into his waistband. Hours later, officers stopped a vehicle in the Chollas View neighborhood in which he was a passenger. A search of the vehicle uncovered two loaded firearms: a Glock-19 and a Springfield Hellcat.
Boosie was taken into custody on multiple state charges, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, and possession of unregistered ammunition. Remarkably, despite the arrest, he still performed at a scheduled nightclub event later that same evening.
Initially, Boosie maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty in federal court. After securing release on bond, a major turning point came on July 12, 2024, when a federal judge dismissed the case entirely. The dismissal relied partly on a Ninth Circuit ruling that questioned the constitutionality of permanently banning non-violent felons from firearm possession.
For a brief moment, it appeared the rapper had successfully escaped federal prosecution. Boosie celebrated publicly, thanking fans and expressing relief that the legal cloud hanging over him seemed to have finally lifted.
But the victory was short-lived. Federal prosecutors soon refiled the case, arguing that the earlier dismissal did not change the key facts surrounding his arrest. The renewed filing thrust Boosie back into court, reigniting a legal saga that was already more than a year old.
The case took another major turn on August 4, 2025, when Boosie announced on social media that he had agreed to a plea deal with federal prosecutors. Explaining his decision, he stated he was “tired of fighting” and had made the choice after extensive discussions with his family.
On August 26, 2025, he officially entered a guilty plea in a San Diego federal courtroom, admitting to one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm—a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). As part of the agreement, prosecutors dropped an additional firearm charge and recommended a 24-month prison sentence, citing mitigating circumstances and Boosie’s limited financial means. They also agreed not to pursue further financial penalties.
The rapper was initially set to be sentenced on November 21, 2025, but he requested more time to prepare. The court granted the request, moving the sentencing to January 9, 2026.
In interviews around the time of the postponement, Boosie struck a confident yet reflective tone. He asserted in one radio interview that he believed he would “not be going to jail,” even as he acknowledged that the ultimate decision lay with the judge alone. He added that he had mentally prepared himself for any outcome—freedom or imprisonment.
The charge he pleaded guilty to carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison, though the recommended two-year sentence suggests prosecutors are willing to recognize the circumstances of the case and his acceptance of responsibility. If the judge accepts the recommendation, Boosie may serve time in federal custody followed by supervised release.
Any prison term would disrupt his touring schedule, business ventures, and public appearances—adding yet another chapter to a career frequently marked by legal struggles.
As January 9, 2026 approaches, fans and the hip-hop community await a final ruling. Whether Boosie walks out of the courtroom or is remanded into custody, the sentencing marks the end of nearly three years of legal uncertainty sparked by a moment caught on camera.
