LOGAN — Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, a.k.a. rapper NBA YoungBoy, is going to remain in jail at least for several more weeks, until a judge reviews evidence in the criminal case that he orchestrated a fraudulent prescription drug operation. The 24-year-old man has been in the Cache County Jail since law enforcement served a warrant to his Huntsville home April 16.
During a continued arraignment hearing, Monday, April 29, in Logan’s 1st District Court, attorneys asked for a combined preliminary and bail hearing, where prosecutors will present their evidence and argue about whether Gaulden should remain in jail. He is being charged with 46 counts, including pattern of unlawful activity, forgery and identity fraud.
Gaulden is accused of having friends and family fill phony prescriptions at pharmacies in Cache Valley. Court documents revealed multiple pharmacies across the state were targeted.
The alleged scheme involved individuals calling in fraudulent prescriptions under the names of real doctors and using fake patient names and birthdates. Alleged associates of Gaulden would then pick up the prescriptions from various pharmacies.
According to investigators, callers linked to Gaulden would call in prescriptions using the name of a real doctor in Provo, in some cases – but provide fake patient information. Individuals would then pick up the order from pharmacies, mainly promethazine and codeine.
Investigators from the Weber County Sheriff’s Office helped take Gaulden into custody with federal partners at his mansion in Huntsville.
Gaulden was absent from Monday’s hearing. Defense attorney Jeremy Delicino said he planned to meet with his client immediately after the hearing to discuss the proceedings.
Judge Spencer Walsh set the preliminary and bail hearing for May 9. At that time, he will determine whether or not prosecutors have sufficient evidence to bind Gaulden over for trial. He will also rule on whether the defendant can be allowed bail while the case proceeds through the court.
Gaulden was living in Utah under house arrest having previously been allegedly involved in a 2019 Miami shooting. He’s also previously faced arrest and charges for attempted murder, drugs, guns, assault and kidnapping. His relocation to Utah came as part of a courtroom deal in 2021 in which his lawyers argued that “moving to Utah would keep YoungBoy out of trouble.”
U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick originally allowed Gaulden to be held on house arrest after his attorney argued that he’d be near a childhood mentor in Utah who was a positive influence, according to reports from Louisiana newspaper The Advocate. However, following the rapper’s arrest the judge ordered the rapper to be taken back into federal custody.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.