News Summary
Rapper Boosie Badazz, real name Torence Ivy Hatch Jr., has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm following a May arrest in San Diego. He was arrested with firearms found in his vehicle after being spotted with a gun in a social media video. Despite initial hopes for a plea deal, federal charges were pursued after the state case was dismissed. Boosie faces a possible 15-year sentence, with sentencing scheduled for November. His decision to plead guilty appears motivated by a desire to stabilize his life.
San Diego – Rapper Boosie Badazz, whose real name is Torence Ivy Hatch Jr., has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The guilty plea was entered on a Tuesday in federal court, stemming from a May 2023 arrest during his time in San Diego, where he was filming a music video and performing at a nightclub in the city’s Gaslamp Quarter.
Hatch, aged 42, was arrested in the Chollas View neighborhood after law enforcement found two firearms in the vehicle he was using. The police became aware of Hatch’s location following a social media video where he was seen with a gun in his waistband. A helicopter was utilized by authorities to locate his vehicle, which led to a traffic stop and the subsequent discovery of the firearms.
Earlier this month, Hatch indicated his intention to plead guilty in a post on X (formerly Twitter), expressing a desire to move forward with his life. He noted that he was exhausted from the fight and had made this decision after discussions with his family. Initially, Hatch faced charges from the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and was reportedly close to reaching a plea deal that would have included probation. However, the state’s case was dismissed prior to any agreement, which subsequently allowed federal prosecutors to pursue charges.
U.S. District Judge Cathy Bencivengo is set to sentence Hatch in November. The federal case follows a previous dismissal by the same judge last year based on a ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court had determined that prohibiting convicted felons who completed their sentences for nonviolent drug offenses from possessing firearms was unconstitutional.
Hatch’s criminal history includes a previous conviction for marijuana possession in Louisiana and an indictment in 2012 related to an alleged murder-for-hire plot, from which he was acquitted. After the earlier case’s dismissal, federal authorities re-filed the charges against him. Notably, a larger panel of the 9th Circuit later reversed its prior position, confirming that banning felons from possessing firearms remains lawful under the Constitution.
Hatch is facing a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, with sentencing set for November 21. His decision to plead guilty appears to be influenced by a wish to resolve the legal issues and return to a more stable life. Currently, Hatch resides in Atlanta and is the father of nine children. His fiancée accompanied him during the court proceedings, providing support during this challenging time.
The case brings attention to ongoing discussions about gun rights and the legal status of felons regarding firearm possession, highlighting complexities in the legal framework surrounding these issues. As the sentencing date approaches, we will see how this guilty plea will ultimately affect Boosie Badazz’s future and career.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Wikipedia: Boosie Badazz
- CBS 8
- Google Search: Boosie Badazz guilty plea gun charges
- Times of San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boosie Badazz
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Google News: Boosie Badazz pleads guilty
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SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
