Rapper Lil Wayne Faces 10 Years In Prison For Felony Charges
Louisiana rapper Lil Wayne has been charged with a felony gun crime in Florida that could put him in prison for a decade.
This week, 38-year-old Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr, known professionally as Lil Wayne, was charged with Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, which happens to be a federal crime. The punishment if found guilty is 10 years in prison. Carter was charged in Federal Court in Miami, which is the city the alleged crime originates in.
Authorities say that Carter was found in possession of the firearm when he landed in Miami in a private jet. Carter admitted to ownership of the gun according to investigators.
Carter's attorney told the Associated Press that he has serious issues with charges against his client. Telling the AP:
“Carter is charged with possessing a gold-plated handgun in his luggage on a private plane. 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 reason Carter is being charged with a crime for having the gun in his possession is that he was convicted on felony weapons charges in New York over a decade ago. The sentence for that crime gave Carter less than a year in prison, but means he carries the "felon" tag with him, making it illegal for him to own the firearm, according to federal law.