Federal prosecutors are urging a judge to sentence rap artist Boosie Badazz to two years in prison when he is sentenced on Friday for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. They argue Boosie’s background and acceptance of responsibility warrant leniency.
In a sentencing memorandum filed Friday, prosecutors asked the court to impose a 24-month sentence, nearly half the 46 months recommended by probation officials. The government said the lesser term was appropriate because Boosie, whose legal name is Torence Hatch, accepted a plea deal last August and endured a troubled childhood. Had he been convicted at trial, he could have faced up to 15 years in prison.
“Defendant has clearly demonstrated acceptance of responsibility,” prosecutors wrote in the seven-page filing obtained by Rolling Stone. “[Hatch] had a difficult upbringing, which likely contributed to his current predicament.”
Prosecutors noted Hatch was a witness to domestic violence between his parents when he was very young and that the death of his father due to a brain tumor “deeply affected him,” leading to depression and behavioral problems in his teenage years. Citing a background report prepared by probation officials, prosecutors said Hatch also witnessed his dad’s substance abuse issues and started using marijuana when he was only eight years old.
The prosecutors based in San Diego, Calif., said it was true Hatch had an “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 they noted there were no identifiable victims in his pending 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.
Hatch, a father of nine, was first charged in the case in June 2023 after San Diego police identified him on an Instagram live video shared online by an alleged member of a Neighborhood Crip street gang. The rapper was seen in the video with a gun tucked in his waistband, prosecutors said.
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According to the filing, police used helicopters to track Hatch until officers could conduct a traffic stop. Hatch initially denied having any weapons, but officers found a loaded 9mm Glock 19 pistol in the backseat, and Hatch’s security turned over a 9mm Springfield “Hellcat” loaded with seven rounds of ammunition, prosecutors said. Hatch’s DNA was found on both firearms, and the guns were purchased in Georgia by Hatch’s girlfriend, per officials.
After an initial indictment was dismissed on procedural grounds, a second two-count indictment was returned in July 2024, charging Hatch with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and one count of being a drug user in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On Aug. 26, he pleaded guilty 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 in a post 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.”
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Hatch’s defense lawyer did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. The defense had not filed any public objections to the probation department’s pre-sentencing report as of Monday.
In 2010, Hatch was indicted on first-degree murder charges. He was found not guilty at trial.
