WEBER COUNTY, Utah, April 30, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Huntsville area resident Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, also known by his rapper name NBA YoungBoy, is facing three more potential charges in Weber County after he was originally arrested for 63 in Cache County.
Most of the alleged crimes involve prescription drugs obtained illegally, and his Cache County affidavit says Gaulden, age 24, notes that he is believed to be the leader of a large prescription drug ring.
“Kentrell Gaulden has participated in an ongoing criminal enterprise that has been involved in the commission of multiple felonies,” his Cache County affidavit says.
“Kentrell has been involved in the alleged enterprise while under house arrest and being supervised by federal probation under pre-trial status for a federal firearms case being prosecuted out of Louisiana. A handgun was found inside of Kentrell’s closet and he admitted to the handling of the firearm two days earlier.
“According to the FBI, Kentrell is the known leader of a violent gang from the Louisiana area. Based on Kentrell’s history, it is apparent that he is prone to violence.”
Investigation begins
Gaulden was identified as a suspect by Cache County Sheriff detectives and the Department of Homeland Security after his vehicle was impounded during the arrest of “members of a conspiracy to falsely obtain prescriptions for controlled substances.
“Following the arrest of co-conspirators, on Jan. 3, 2024, Gaulden along with his ‘business manager’ made attempts to contact detectives to try and retrieve Gaulden’s impounded Chevy Tahoe that had been used by the co-conspirators in obtaining the fraudulent prescriptions,” his Cache County affidavit says.
“During a conversation with Gaulden, he made an utterance that suggested that he had knowledge of the prescription fraud conspiracy as well as demonstrating his intent to further the fraudulent scheme.”
A background check was conducted on Gaulden.
“Gaulden is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He has resided in multiple states including Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, California and now Utah. Gaulden is currently on federal pre-trial supervision, awaiting trial in the Middle District of Louisiana for a felony federal gun charge (felon in possession of firearm and ammunition),” the Cache County affidavit says.
“Gaulden was arrested for two counts of attempted murder in Louisiana in 2016, in a case which ultimately resulted in his conviction of aggravated assault with a firearm (a felony). In 2018 Gaulden was arrested in Georgia for aggravated assault and kidnapping. He was eventually convicted in that case of battery- family violence.
“In 2019, Gaulden was arrested in Georgia for possession of marijuana. He was arrested in 2020 in Louisiana for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, distribution of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, illegal carrying of a weapon, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a schedule 4 controlled substance.
“In 2021, Gaulden was arrested by the FBI for felon in possession of a weapon (likely in relation to the 2020 case in Louisiana). His federal charges are still pending in the Middle District of Louisiana and he is on federal pre-trial supervision.”
Cache County search warrant
Which brings us Gaulden’s April 16 Utah arrest. A search warrant was issued for Gaulden’s residence, near Huntsville.
“During the search, Gaulden was interviewed and admitted that a firearm was located in his home and that he had handled and possessed it. Gaulden denied that his DNA would be found on the gun, however, also stated that he had picked the gun up and moved it in his home.”
Two bottles of prescription drugs obtained in fraudulent names with fraudulent prescriptions were found in a bathroom inside Gaulden’s bedroom, as was a third in Gaulden’s name, but still with a fraudulent birthdate and prescription.
Controlled drugs found included Promethazine and Doxycycline in combination with Codeine. An additional search turned up similar bottles of those drugs allegedly prescribed by different doctors. A loaded gun was also found.
In Utah, investigators believe that Gaulden or people associated with him have used numerous fictional names to illegally obtain prescriptions from pharmacies in Hyrum, Logan, Smithfield, and Tremonton, among other locations.
Possible charges
The Cache County affidavit linked to Gaulden’s April 16 arrest and incarceration lists his potential crimes as:
- Possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, a second-degree felony
- Pattern of unlawful activity, a second-degree felony
- 20 counts of identity fraud value less than $5,000, a third-degree felony
- 20 counts of forgery, a third-degree felony
- 20 counts of procuring or attempting to procure any drug/prescription, a class A misdemeanor
- Possession of a controlled substance marijuana/spice, a class B misdemeanor
Final charges, as always, are determined by the county attorney’s office.
A Weber County affidavit dated April 25 says Gaulden, still jailed in Cache County, is now being investigated in Weber for:
- Possession, purchase, transfer or use of a firearm by a restricted person, a second-degree felony
- Two counts of fraudulently obtaining a prescription, a class A misdemeanor
The Weber County affidavit repeats much of the background information contained in the Cache County affidavit, but says Gaulden’s residence near Huntsville is actually in Weber County, not Cache.
