American rapper Boosie Badazz, legally known as Torrence Ivy Hatch Jr., is inching closer to a pivotal moment in his long-running federal gun case, nearly three years after an arrest in San Diego.
What began as a routine police stop in May 2023 has now metamorphosed into a serious legal battle that could potentially send the 42-year-old artist back to prison.
This case dates back to May 6, 2023, when San Diego police arrested Boosie after spotting him in an Instagram Live video with what appeared to be a handgun tucked into his waistband. Later that day, officers stopped a vehicle he was riding in in the Chollas View neighborhood, where two loaded firearms , a Glock-19 and a Springfield Hellcat , were found.
He 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. Despite the arrest, Boosie still performed at a scheduled nightclub appearance that same night.
Boosie initially fought the case, pleading not guilty in federal court and securing release on bond. The turning point came on July 12, 2024, when a federal judge dismissed the case entirely. The ruling leaned on a Ninth Circuit decision questioning the constitutionality of permanently banning non-violent felons from possessing firearms.
For a brief moment, it appeared the rapper had escaped federal prosecution. Boosie celebrated publicly, telling fans he was grateful the ordeal seemed to be over.
However, the relief was short-lived. Federal prosecutors soon refiled the case, arguing the earlier dismissal didn’t change the core facts of the arrest.
More than a year later, on August 4, 2025, Boosie announced on social media that he had accepted a plea deal with federal prosecutors. In the message, he wrote that he was “tired of fighting” the case and had made the decision after speaking with his family.
He formally entered his guilty plea on August 26, 2025, in a San Diego federal courtroom, admitting to one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. As part of the agreement, prosecutors dropped a second firearms charge and recommended a 24-month prison sentence. They also stated that no additional financial penalties would be pursued due to his limited financial circumstances.
Boosie’s sentencing was originally set for November 21, 2025, but the rapper requested more time to prepare. The court approved the request, shifting the sentencing to January 9, 2026.
In interviews around the time of the postponement, Boosie struck a defiant yet reflective tone. He told one radio show that he believed he would “not be going to jail,” though he acknowledged that the final decision rests entirely with the judge. He added that he was mentally prepared for whatever outcome the court delivered.
The charge Boosie pleaded guilty to , violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) [Makes it unlawful for a person previously convicted of a felony to possess a firearm.], a serious federal offense. The law carries a maximum penalty of 15 years, though prosecutors have recommended a two-year term due to the plea agreement and mitigating factors.
If the judge accepts the government’s recommendation, Boosie could serve time in federal custody, followed by a period of supervised release. Any prison term would impact his touring, business ventures, and public engagements, adding another chapter to a career long intertwined with legal challenges.
As January 9, 2026, approaches, the hip-hop community and fans are waiting to see what the judge will ultimately decide. For Boosie, the sentencing represents the culmination of an ordeal that began nearly three years ago with a moment caught on camera.
Whether he walks out of the courtroom or is remanded to federal custody, the decision is poised to impact his career.
