YoungBoy Never Broke Again Sentenced to Three Years of Probation for Aggravated Assault With a Firearm

Just about eight months after landing in East Baton Rouge jail for attempted murder charges and three months after getting released, YoungBoy Never Broke Again has been handed a suspended 10-year jail sentence and three years of probation for aggravated assault with a firearm. He received that sentence and a lecture about fatherhood and violence from Judge Bonnie Jackson. Baton Rouge-based publication, The Advocate reported the news on Tuesday (Aug. 22).

The 17-year-old rapper, born Kentrell Gaulden, had been locked up since last December on two charges of attempted first degree murder for his role in an alleged drive-by shooting that took place the month before. He was identified as one of two people who hopped out of a car and began firing bullets into a crowd on the 2000 block of Kentucky Street.

During an exchange The Advocate described as "gripping but respectful," NBA YoungBoy and Judge Jackson made their feelings about the situation known.

"I wasn't very happy with the circumstances of your case, not at all," Jackson told YoungBoy during his sentencing. "I take full responsibility for what happened. I'm sorry," he responded. "It wasn't supposed to go that way."

Judge Jackson seemed to disagree with the latter half of YoungBoy's statement, saying the troubled rapper and his friends "went looking for trouble and found it." "Fortunately, you all were bad shots," she told YoungBoy, who played a role in a shooting that was ultimately non-fatal.

The judge wasn't thinking about YoungBoy's burgeoning rap career, either. "I don't care about that at all," she said. "You displayed behavior that was totally unacceptable." His behavior won't necessarily be helped by his new living situation in New Orleans as opposed to Baton Rouge.

"You know how much killing is taking place in New Orleans," Judge Jackson said to YoungBoy, who dropped his AI YoungBoy project a few weeks back. "Baton Rouge isn't much better. That's the environment we're living in."

While Judge Jackson wasn't against YoungBoy's right to make a living as a rapper, she did lament the role she imagines rap plays in a violent community. "Your genre has a lot to do with the mindset people have," she said. "Your genre has normalized violence."

YoungBoy's attorney James Manasseh responded by telling Judge Jackson that his client hadn't killed anyone, to which she responded that he very easily could have. She then implored YoungBoy to be more responsible because his role as a rap star makes him someone people listen to.

For his part, YoungBoy's attorney vouched for his client's character, calling him a "good-hearted, kind, sweet young man." YoungBoy then told Judge Jackson he's a father of three children, to which the judge responded by telling him having three children by multiple women isn't a "badge of honor."

YoungBoy responded by telling the judge his children are from two women, and that he's committed to being a good father and a good person. "I promise to do right," he said. "I'm committed to my family."

From there Judge Jackson gave YoungBoy 250 hours of community service made him pay a $5,000 fine. He's also expected to make an anti-violence PSA.

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