If you’ve been following the whirlwind that is Kentrell Gaulden’s life, you know it’s never just a simple headline. The man we all know as NBA YoungBoy has spent more time under the microscope of the federal government than almost any other artist of his generation. But the buzz lately hasn't been about a new mixtape or another child. It's about that massive legal pivot: the NBA YoungBoy pardon.
Honestly, the timeline of the last two years feels like a fever dream for fans. One minute he’s facing 63 charges in Utah for a prescription drug fraud ring, and the next, he’s a free man with a clean slate thanks to a stroke of a pen in Washington.
Let's get into the weeds of how this actually went down.
The Pardon That Changed Everything
In May 2025, the world woke up to news that seemed impossible given the sheer volume of legal weight on YoungBoy’s shoulders. Donald Trump granted a federal pardon to NBA YoungBoy, effectively wiping away the federal gun charges that had haunted him since a 2020 music video shoot in Baton Rouge.
It wasn't just a random act of kindness.
The move came as part of a sweep of clemency grants that included other high-profile figures. For YoungBoy, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, this was the ultimate "get out of jail free" card. Before the pardon, he was looking at a 23-month prison sentence followed by five years of intense probation. Imagine being 25 years old with ten kids and a massive career, knowing the next half-decade of your life is owned by a probation officer.
The pardon changed the math.
His attorney, Drew Findling—the "Billion Dollar Lawyer" who has represented everyone from Cardi B to Offset—confirmed the news. While Findling didn’t file the actual application, he was the one who helped navigate the messy transition from the Louisiana courts to the Utah federal system.
👉 See also: Addison Rae and The Kid LAROI: What Really Happened
Why the Federal Case Was So Dangerous
To understand why an NBA YoungBoy pardon is such a big deal, you have to remember how trapped he actually was. The feds don't usually lose. They had him on video.
During that 2020 arrest in Baton Rouge, police seized over a dozen guns. Because YoungBoy was already a convicted felon—stemming from a 2017 aggravated assault case—possessing even one bullet is a federal crime. He was caught with a Glock 21 .45-caliber and a Masterpiece Arms MPA30T.
The feds moved the case to Utah, where he was already living on house arrest at his "Grave Digger Mountain" estate.
"I let my situation get the best of me," YoungBoy told the judge during his sentencing in late 2024. "I take full responsibility."
He had already pleaded guilty. He was prepared to do the time. He even agreed to pay a $200,000 fine. Then, the pardon happened. It didn't just shorten his stay; it removed the five-year probation "stipulations" that usually trip up rappers. No more random drug tests. No more asking permission to cross state lines for a show.
The Utah Drug Fraud Twist
Now, here is where people get confused. A presidential pardon only covers federal crimes.
While the gun case was federal, YoungBoy also got tangled up in a wild prescription drug fraud scheme in Cache County, Utah. Authorities alleged he was part of a ring that called in fake prescriptions for promethazine with codeine by posing as a doctor.
✨ Don't miss: Game of Thrones Actors: Where the Cast of Westeros Actually Ended Up
That was a state-level headache.
Fortunately for him, his legal team worked out a plea deal there too. He pleaded guilty to some charges and "no contest" to others. He ended up paying a $25,000 fine and was credited with time served. By the time the federal pardon hit in May 2025, the state issues had largely been resolved through these negotiations.
Basically, he threaded a needle that most people would have been pierced by.
Life After the Pardon: 2026 and Beyond
So, where is he now?
As of early 2026, YoungBoy is back. He’s no longer confined to the snowy mountains of Utah. He’s been spotted back in the mix, releasing his eighth studio album MASA and hitting the road for his first headlining tour in years.
He’s 26 now.
He seems different, or at least he’s trying to be. In his first post-pardon statement on Instagram, he thanked the former President for the "opportunity to keep building—as a man, as a father, and as an artist."
🔗 Read more: Is The Weeknd a Christian? The Truth Behind Abel’s Faith and Lyrics
It’s rare to see a rapper get a second chance this clean. Usually, the legal system grinds these guys down until there’s nothing left of their career. Instead, YoungBoy found a loophole in the form of executive clemency.
What This Means for His Career
- Touring: He can finally go on international tours without a judge signing off on his passport.
- Collaborations: Labels are less hesitant to put money behind him now that the "risk of incarceration" has plummeted.
- Ownership: He’s reportedly focused on building his Never Broke Again brand into a more formal entity.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of people think he's totally "off the hook" for everything he's ever done. Not quite.
A pardon doesn't mean the arrest never happened. It means the legal punishment is forgiven. He still has to stay on the "straight and narrow," as Judge Howard Nielson warned him. If he gets caught with a weapon again in 2026 or beyond, he won't get a second pardon. The political climate changes, and luck eventually runs out.
His neighbors in the Olympus Cove neighborhood of Utah have reported seeing armed guards patrolling his mansion. While he’s free, he’s clearly still moving with a level of caution that suggests he knows he’s a target—both for the law and for his rivals.
Practical Takeaways for Fans
If you’re a fan or just someone following the legal precedent, here’s the reality of the NBA YoungBoy pardon situation:
- Check the Jurisdiction: Always distinguish between state and federal charges. The pardon saved him from the feds, but the plea deal saved him from Utah state prison.
- Follow the Music: Watch his release schedule. Now that he isn't restricted by house arrest, the volume of his output might actually increase because he can record in professional studios again.
- Monitor the Terms: Even without federal probation, he is still under the watchful eye of local authorities. Any slip-up could trigger new state charges.
The saga of NBA YoungBoy is a masterclass in how high-stakes legal defense and political timing can intersect. He was inches away from being another "what if" story in hip-hop. Instead, he’s a 26-year-old mogul with a fresh start.
Keep an eye on his 2026 tour dates. It’s the first time in nearly half a decade that he’ll be performing without an ankle monitor hidden under his jeans.