Louisiana rap artist Boosie Badazz is asking a judge to spare him from prison time and instead impose probation and community service when he is sentenced Friday for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In a sentencing memo submitted late Monday, Boosie and his attorney Meghan Blanco argue that a sentence of two years of structured probation and 300 hours of community service is appropriate following his guilty plea in federal court last year. They contend that his decision to carry a gun in San Diego in June 2023 “reflects a lapse in judgment rather than ongoing criminal behavior.” The rapper, born Torence Hatch, says the incident came after “an approximately ten-year gap between his prior criminal conduct.”
“The offense conduct was limited, nonviolent, and isolated,” the filing obtained by Rolling Stone states. “Mr. Hatch did not discharge a firearm or cause harm. No victim was identified, and the government has not alleged that the firearms were used in connection with any other criminal activity or broader criminal scheme.”
The request for leniency came after federal prosecutors submitted their own sentencing memo on Friday seeking a two year prison term. While that recommendation is far harsher than what Hatch is requesting, it is still roughly half of the 46 months in prison suggested by probation officials in a presentence report. Both prosecutors and Hatch pointed to his decision to plead guilty last August and his difficult upbringing as factors that should be taken into account. Had the case gone to trial and resulted in a conviction, Hatch could have faced as many as 15 years behind bars.
“Defendant has clearly demonstrated acceptance of responsibility,” prosecutors wrote in their Friday filing obtained by Rolling Stone. “[Hatch] had a difficult upbringing, which likely contributed to his current predicament.”
Prosecutors said Hatch witnessed domestic violence between his parents at a young age and that his father’s death from a brain tumor “deeply affected him,” contributing to depression and behavioral issues during his teenage years. Referring to a background report prepared by probation officials, prosecutors also noted that Hatch saw his father struggle with substance abuse and began using marijuana when he was just eight years old.
Federal prosecutors in San Diego acknowledged Hatch’s “extensive criminal history including prior convictions for resisting arrest, battery, assault, illegal carrying of a firearm, drug trafficking offenses, possession of narcotics, and bringing narcotics into a penitentiary,” but agreed there were no identifiable victims tied to the current gun case. “He has also been gainfully employed for many years and has continued to work throughout the pendency of this case. These factors weigh in favor of a variance,” prosecutors wrote.
In his own filing, Hatch said he carried the gun in California out of fear after surviving a shooting in Texas. That experience “understandably heightened his sense of vulnerability and personal safety,” the memo states. It describes Hatch as “a man who rose from extraordinary adversity, contributed meaningfully to his community, and has taken responsibility for a serious but isolated lapse in judgment.”
A father of nine, Hatch was initially charged after San Diego police spotted him in an Instagram Live video that had been shared online by an alleged member of a Neighborhood Crip street gang. Prosecutors said the footage showed the rapper with a gun tucked into his waistband.
Court records state that police used helicopters to follow Hatch until officers were able to make a traffic stop. Hatch initially denied having any weapons, but officers recovered a loaded 9 mm Glock 19 pistol from the back seat, while his security handed over a 9 mm Springfield Hellcat loaded with seven rounds of ammunition. Officials said Hatch’s DNA was found on both guns and that they had been purchased in Georgia by his girlfriend.
After the original indictment was dismissed due to procedural issues, a second indictment with two charges was filed in July 2024. Hatch was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as being a drug user in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He pleaded guilty on Aug. 26 to the felon in possession charge.
“Just accepted a plea deal from the federal government on my gun case. I thought this case was over n I was going to get on with my life but ‘God don’t make mistakes’ n I’m tired of fighting,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Aug. 4. “Talked to my family n this is the right decision. To all my fans across the world say a prayer for ya boy n go get the new album.”
Hatch is scheduled to be sentenced Friday morning by U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo. In 2010, he was indicted on first degree murder charges but was ultimately found not guilty at trial.
This article was updated on Jan. 6 at 12:45 a.m. to include a sentencing memo filed by Boosie Badazz and his attorney Meghan Blanco.
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