Rapper NBA YoungBoy was not arrested or charged following a traffic stop on Interstate 15 in Utah that resulted in the seizure of illicit drugs, state law enforcement officials said.
Utah Highway Patrol troopers stopped the vehicle after establishing probable cause to search, according to authorities. The stop occurred along a heavily traveled portion of I-15. During the search, troopers located illegal drugs inside the vehicle.
NBA YoungBoy, whose legal name is Kentrell Gaulden, was a passenger at the time of the stop. Law enforcement officials emphasized that Gaulden was not accused of possessing the drugs and was not taken into custody.
Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Mike Alexander said responsibility for the seized substances was attributed to other occupants in the vehicle. A male driver and a female passenger claimed ownership of the drugs, he said. Prosecutors are now reviewing potential charges against those individuals.
NBA Youngboy Not Arrested In Utah Highway Patrol Traffic Stop
“In consultation with the Utah County Attorney’s Office, it was decided that charges would be screened against those two individuals for the possession of those illicit drugs,” Alexander said. He added that Gaulden was not included in that charging decision.
Troopers also recovered cash during the search. Alexander confirmed investigators found no evidence linking the money to the drugs. As a result, the cash discovery did not affect the charging analysis.
Authorities declined to release the identities of the driver and the additional passenger. No formal charges have been announced.
Gaulden, 26, currently resides in Utah and has prior legal history in the state. In 2024, he resolved a prescription drug fraud case by paying a $25,000 fine, court records show. He has also previously served prison time related to a felony firearm possession conviction.
Despite that background, law enforcement officials said Gaulden’s past cases did not factor into the current investigation. Alexander said there is no indication prosecutors are considering charges against the rapper.
“At this time, I’m not aware of charges being considered against Mr. Gaulden,” Alexander said, noting that decisions were based on evidence collected during the stop.
Legal analysts note that criminal liability in vehicle searches often turns on possession, control and corroborating statements. In this case, investigators relied on admissions from other occupants and physical evidence recovered at the scene.
Gaulden has not commented publicly on the incident. His representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
The matter remains under review as prosecutors determine whether to formally file charges. Authorities said any action would be limited to the individuals who claimed ownership of the drugs.
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