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Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for EA Sports Bowl at Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest Rapper Lil Wayne has been charged by federal prosecutors in Miami with illegal possession of a gun and ammunition by a convicted felon, stemming from his holiday trip last December.
According to court documents, the Cash Money CEO, born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was charged with the single count and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Two days before Christmas in December 2019, federal agents discovered drugs, a gun and bullets during a search of Wayne’s private jet while stopped at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. Investigators say Wayne admitted to owning a gold-plated pistol that was found in a piece of luggage, according to state court records reported by the Miami-Herald newspaper.
Wayne’s defense attorney, Howard Srebnick, said he plans to fight the new federal gun charge, saying “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.”
Wayne’s felony conviction stems from a previous weapons charge, for which he served a year in prison in New York.
Wayne, who recently and publicly supported former President Donald Trump, is expected to have his first federal court appearance in Miami on Dec. 11.
By Rachel George
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