When people talk about the legal drama surrounding Daystar Peterson—better known as Tory Lanez—most minds go straight to the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. It's the big one. It's the case that effectively halted a massive music career. But if you look closer at the paperwork, you'll see a history that goes back further than that night in the Hollywood Hills. Honestly, the story of Tory Lanez previous felonies and arrests isn't just about one violent night; it's about a series of legal run-ins that eventually caught up with him in a big way.
A lot of folks think he had a squeaky-clean record before the trial. That's not exactly true. While he wasn't exactly a career criminal, his "priors" played a massive role in how the Megan Thee Stallion case played out, especially when it came to his bail conditions and the final sentencing. By the time 2026 rolled around, and with his appeals finally drying up, the full picture of his legal history has become much clearer.
The Big Three: The Felonies That Stuck
Let's get the main stuff out of the way first. When we talk about his actual felony convictions, we are talking about the three counts he was found guilty of in December 2022. These are the heavy hitters that landed him a 10-year stint in state prison.
- Assault with a semiautomatic firearm. This is a serious "strike" under California law. It involves more than just a threat; it's the physical act of the assault.
- Having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s a felony that law enforcement takes very seriously in Los Angeles.
- Discharging a firearm with gross negligence. This refers to the act of firing the gun in a way that could easily have killed someone.
These weren't just "misunderstandings" as some fans argued online. A jury saw the evidence—the DNA, the testimony, the medical records—and decided these were cold, hard facts. In August 2023, Judge David Herriford handed down the 10-year sentence. It was a moment that shocked the hip-hop world, but legal experts saw it coming. The prosecution actually wanted 13 years. Lanez’s team begged for probation. They didn't get it.
The Florida Gun and Weed Charge (2017)
Before the Hollywood Hills incident ever happened, Tory had a run-in with the law in Miramar, Florida. This was back in April 2017. Basically, he was pulled over because his registration was expired. Simple enough, right? Wrong.
The cops ended up searching the car. They found a concealed firearm and less than 20 grams of marijuana. He was charged with several things, including a felony count for the gun. Now, here is where it gets interesting: that felony charge was eventually dropped. He ended up pleading to a much lesser charge.
Why does this matter? Because even though it didn't stay on his record as a felony, it established a pattern. It showed that he was someone who traveled with firearms. When he stood before the judge in the Megan Thee Stallion case, the prosecutors weren't shy about pointing out that he had "previous experience" with unregistered weapons.
Violating Bail: The August Alsina Incident
You might remember the drama with August Alsina in 2022. This wasn't a "previous felony" in the sense that it happened years ago, but it was a massive legal blunder that occurred while he was out on bail for the Megan case.
In September 2022, Alsina alleged that Lanez attacked him backstage at a concert in Chicago. Because Tory was already under strict orders not to get into any more legal trouble, this was a disaster. The judge wasn't happy. Lanez was placed under house arrest and his bail was hiked up significantly.
It basically proved to the court that he couldn't follow the rules. When a judge sees you getting into fights while you're literally on trial for shooting someone, they aren't going to be leaning toward leniency.
The Deportation Factor
Here's something a lot of people forget: Tory Lanez is Canadian. He’s not a U.S. citizen. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), certain crimes are classified as "aggravated felonies."
A conviction for a crime of violence—like assault with a semiautomatic firearm—usually means one thing: deportation. Once he finishes his 10-year sentence (or whatever portion he actually serves), he is almost certainly going to be handed over to ICE. He’ll be sent back to Canada. And the kicker? He will likely be barred from entering the United States ever again.
Imagine having a career built on the U.S. music market and then being legally banned from the country. That's the reality he's facing. It's a massive consequence that goes way beyond just sitting in a cell.
Why the Appeal Failed in 2025
For a while, there was hope among his "Umbrella" fan base that he’d win an appeal. His lawyers, including the high-profile Jose Baez, argued that the trial was unfair. They claimed the DNA evidence was flimsy and that the social media posts used against him shouldn't have been allowed.
In late 2025, a California appellate court basically said "no." They upheld the convictions. They ruled that the original trial was conducted properly and that the evidence was sufficient. This was the final nail in the coffin for his immediate freedom.
Actionable Insights: Understanding the Impact
If you’re following this case or looking at how Tory Lanez previous felonies affect his future, here are the three biggest takeaways:
- The "Strike" System is Real: In California, that assault conviction is a major strike. If he were ever to get out and commit another serious crime in that state, the penalties would be astronomically higher.
- Immigration Consequences are Final: For non-citizens, a felony isn't just a prison sentence; it's a permanent change in life status. His ability to tour or record in the U.S. is effectively over.
- Evidence Trumps Narrative: Despite a massive PR campaign on social media to paint him as innocent, the legal system focused on the physical evidence—the ballistics and the wounds.
The road back for Daystar Peterson is incredibly long. He’s currently serving his time in a California state prison, and based on the recent court rulings, he won't be seeing the outside for quite a while.
To stay informed on his status, you can track the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) inmate locator using his legal name, Daystar Peterson. For those looking at the legal side, reviewing the public transcripts of the 2nd District Court of Appeal provides the most accurate breakdown of why his convictions were upheld.