Rapper Lil Wayne has officially pleaded guilty to charges of illegal possession of a loaded firearm, a situation that could result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years if convicted. The plea was entered on December 11, in Miami, where the incident that led to the charges took place.
According to sources, federal authorities received an anonymous tip regarding Wayne’s private jet, which prompted a search upon its arrival at Miami International Airport. During the search, agents discovered a gold-plated Remington 1911 .45 caliber handgun, loaded with six rounds of ammunition, as well as small amounts of prohibited substances. This prompted the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida to officially charge the artist, whose real name is Dwayne Carter.
At the time of the incident, authorities allowed Wayne to continue his journey to California, where the jet was initially headed. Wayne’s attorney, Hobart Sramny, has emphasized that there are no allegations of the rapper having fired, brandished, or threatened to use the weapon, nor is there any claim that he is a dangerous person. The core issue at hand is that Wayne, having a felony conviction in his past, is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Sentencing for the firearm case is scheduled for next month, adding a layer of uncertainty as Wayne navigates the legal ramifications of his guilty plea.
Despite these legal troubles, Lil Wayne has remained active in the music industry, releasing several projects in 2020. His album “Funeral,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, was followed by collaborations and a new show, “Young Money Radio,” on Apple Music. He also released a deluxe version of “Funeral” and a re-release of his 2009 mixtape “No Ceilings” earlier this year.
As the music world watches closely, the outcome of Lil Wayne’s case could have significant implications not only for his career but also for his legacy as a prominent figure in the hip-hop community.