Lil Wayne Facing 10 Years In Prison For Federal Gun Charge

Lil Wayne was charged Tuesday in Florida with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, a federal offense that could see him jailed for up to a decade.

The 38-year-old rapper admitted to owning a gold-plated handgun after his luggage was searched upon arriving in Miami on a private plane last year, the Miami Herald reported.

Court papers showed that the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida charged him with one count under his real name, Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., for possessing a gun and ammunition on Dec. 23 despite knowing he had the previous felony on his record.

Authorities also reported finding cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, marijuana and painkillers, along with $25,938 in cash, inside his bag, according to the search warrant obtained in January by the Miami Herald. Wayne has not been charged with any drug-related offenses.

Speaking further about the matter, Howard Srebnick, Wayne’s lawyer, said the rapper was charged because of his previous felony that barred him from possessing a firearm, The New York Times reported.

“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,” Srebnick said in a statement.

Wayne previously pleaded guilty to gun possession in 2009 when a loaded .40-caliber semi-automatic gun was found on his tour bus heading to a concert venue in New York. The incident took place in July 2007.

An initial court date on the weapons charge is set for Dec. 11 in Miami federal court, Associated Press has learned.

Wayne is considered to be one of the greatest rappers of all time and has released many hit songs. The rapper started his professional musical career in 1999 with his debut album, “The Block Is Hot.” However, his moment of glory came in 2004 when his fourth studio album, titled “The Carter,” turned out to be a massive success and took his popularity to a whole new level.

Wayne has received 26 nominations at the Grammy Awards over the years and won five times.