On Tuesday, Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., better known as rapper Lil Wayne, was charged in Miami, Florida with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The charge has been placed ten months after the incident and could lead to a prison sentence if convicted.
What We Know:
- On December 23rd, 2019, the rapper boarded a private plane heading from Miami to California. Upon arriving at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, authorities searched his luggage and found a gold-plated handgun. According to AP, Lil Wayne admitted owning the gun and told investigators it was a Father’s Day gift.
- After obtaining a search warrant, investigators also reported finding suspected illegal drugs in the luggage. Lil Wayne has not been charged with any illegal drug offenses during this investigation.
- The charge stems from Lil Wayne’s previous weapons conviction for an incident in 2007 where a pistol was found on his tour bus. He pled guilty for that chargeback in October of 2009, making him a convicted felon. Federal law states that it is illegal for a felon to possess a firearm.
- If convicted, the rapper faces up to 10 years in prison. But his lawyers want to clarify that he is not a threat to society and should not receive the maximum sentencing. In a statement for CNN, Lil Wayne’s attorney Howard Srebnick said, “There is no allegation that he ever fired it, brandished it, used it or threatened to use it. There is no allegation that he is a dangerous person. The charge is that because he was convicted of a felony in the past, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.”
Lil Wayne is expected to appear in Miami federal court on December 11th, 2020.
