In court documents filed Friday, January 2, prosecutors asked a federal judge to sentence Boosie, whose real name is Torence Hatch, to two years in prison. That request is shorter than the four-year sentence recommended by probation officials and far below the 15-year maximum he could have faced if convicted at trial.
The recommendation follows a plea deal Boosie accepted in August, when he said he was “tired of fighting” the case and wanted to move forward with his life. Prosecutors also explained in their filing why they believe a reduced sentence is appropriate, focusing heavily on challenges from the rapper’s early life.
According to the filing, Boosie grew up witnessing domestic violence between his parents and struggled with the impact of his father’s substance abuse. The death of his father from a brain tumor deeply affected him, prosecutors said, contributing to depression and behavioral issues during his teenage years.
Boosie is scheduled to be sentenced later this week.
The rapper was first charged in June 2023 with being a felon in possession of a firearm, a federal offense that prohibits people with felony convictions from owning guns. He previously served prison time after a 2011 drug conviction, along with several earlier offenses.
His arrest drew attention because of how it unfolded. Authorities say they spotted a handgun tucked into Boosie’s waistband while monitoring the Instagram feed of a “known gang member.” Police then used a helicopter to track him in real time in a San Diego neighborhood described as gang-associated. After stopping his vehicle, officers reportedly found a Glock pistol that matched the one seen earlier.
Although prosecutors acknowledged Boosie’s difficult background, they did not excuse his actions. They highlighted his long criminal history and said past prison sentences “have not acted as a deterrent.” They also noted that following his 2023 arrest, Boosie allegedly threatened someone at a police precinct, saying he was “going to put you in a body bag.”
Prosecutors also pointed to Boosie’s struggles with substance use, stating that he began drinking alcohol as a teenager and later experimented with drugs such as ecstasy and liquid codeine. They said much of this behavior was tied to his lifestyle as a performer.
“Defendant’s insistence on carrying a weapon despite his status as a convicted felon,” prosecutors wrote, along with his past threats and criminal record, argue against any sentence shorter than the two years they are recommending.
Separately, Boosie is reportedly exploring other options outside the courtroom. Multiple reports say he hired lobbyists last fall to look into the possibility of a pardon from Donald Trump, who has granted more pardons than many recent presidents.
The final decision now rests with the judge, who will determine whether Boosie receives the two-year sentence prosecutors are requesting or a longer term behind bars.
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