Lil Wayne pleads guilty to federal weapons charge, faces 10 years in prison

The rapper is due to be sentenced on 28 January, 2021

Lil Wayne has pled guilty to one count of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, TMZ reports.

On 23 December, 2019, authorities received an anonymous tip and boarded Wayne's private plane upon its arrival at Miami-Opa locka Executive Airport. In their search, police found a loaded gold-plated handgun. 

Authorities also reportedly found bags containing cocaine, prescription cough syrup, ecstasy, oxycodone, and nearly $26,000 in cash. Wayne was not charged with any drug offenses.

At the time of his arrest Wayne's attorney, Howard Srebnick, said that "there is no allegation that he is a dangerous person" and asked why convicted felons should be denied their Second Amendment rights.

The rapper was also convicted of a felony gun charge in 2007. He faces 10 years in prison if convicted.

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Wayne is due to be sentenced on 28 January, 2021.

Because he pled guilty, however, sources say that Wayne is likely to receive leniency, with the government recommending a lighter sentence because he has taken responsibility. Though ultimately the decision will be up to the judge. 

Earlier this week, Lil Wayne, who recently released new mixtape No Ceilings 3, was sued by prominent entertainment lawyer Ronald Sweeney for more than $20 million, with Sweeney claiming that he had not been fully paid for his management role in 2018.