Entertainment Rapper Lil Wayne charged with federal gun offense in Florida

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Rapper Lil Wayne was charged Tuesday in Florida with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a federal offense that carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

© Provided by Associated Press FILE - In this June 16, 2018, file photo, Lil Wayne performs on Day 3 of the 2018 Firefly Music Festival at The Woodlands in Dover, Del. Rapper Lil Wayne has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Documents filed Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, in Miami federal court say the rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., had a gun and ammunition on Dec. 23 of last year despite knowing he had the previous felony. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, File)

Documents filed in Miami federal court say the rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., had a gun and ammunition on Dec. 23 of last year despite knowing he had the previous felony on his record.

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Lil Wayne has been previously also criticised for his controversial statements about racism against the black community.After having a "great meeting" with Donald Trump, Lil Wayne took to Twitter on Thursday to express his admiration for the POTUS and his "platinum plan" for Black Americans. Alongside a picture of him and Donald Trump giving a thumbs-up, the "Lollipop" rapper wrote: "Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump @potus besides what he's done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership.

Lil Wayne was charged on Tuesday with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon after authorities Lil Wayne , who threw his support behind President Trump prior to the election, has been The charge stems from an incident in December last year when federal agents raided his plane at Miami-Opa

Rapper Kodak Black facing federal gun charge after arrest at Miami music festival. Meanwhile, Lil Wayne said on social media that he refused to perform after being subjected to a search by In Florida , he has been charged at different times with drug and weapons possession, armed robbery

Authorities said the 38-year-old rapper acknowledged owning the gold-plated handgun after his luggage was searched upon arriving in Miami on a private plane. A search warrant, first reported by the Miami Herald at the time, said Carter told investigators the gun was a Father's Day gift.

Carter's attorney, Howard Srebnick, said in an email that there are legal questions about whether mere possession of a weapon by a felon not judged to be dangerous fits the definition of a crime.

“Carter is charged with possessing a gold-plated handgun in his luggage on a private plane. There is no allegation that he ever fired it, brandished it, used it or threatened to use it,” Srebnick said. “There is no allegation that he is a dangerous person.”

Investigators also reported finding suspected illegal drugs in the luggage, but Carter has not been charged with a drug offense.

An initial court date on the weapons charge is set for Dec. 11 in Miami federal court.

The charge stems from a weapons conviction of Carter in New York more than a decade ago, for which he was sentenced to eight months in prison. Convicted felons are barred under federal law from owning firearms.

As Lil Wayne, Carter has sold over 120 million records, has won five Grammys and numerous other music awards. He owns a home in Miami Beach and is CEO of his own record label, Young Money Entertainment.