Lil Wayne could be facing significant prison time if found guilty of a federal weapons charge. The 38-year-old rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was charged Tuesday for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, Miami Herald reported. If convicted, he could be sentenced to 10 years behind bars.
The charge stems from a December 2019 incident during which federal agents conducted a search of his private plane at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport and reportedly discovered weapons as well as drugs in his bag. Wayne was convicted of a felony gun charge a decade ago and was prohibited from carrying a firearm with him on the plane during his Miami trip last year, but admitted to owning a gold-plated pistol found along with bullets and various drugs including ecstasy, marijuana, and heroin in his luggage.
Wayne was allowed to leave the chartered plane and was not charged with any drug-related offenses, but because he was convicted in 2009, federal authorities believe he was wrongfully in possession of a firearm.
Wayne's attorney, Howard Srebnick, said he will be challenging the new federal gun charge.
"There is no allegation that he ever fired it, brandished it, used it, or threatened to use it," he said. "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."
Wayne is scheduled to appear in federal court in Miami on Dec. 11.
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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