A second San Diego federal decide has denied federal prosecutors’ requests to maintain Louisiana rapper Boosie Badazz in custody for allegedly being a felon in possession of a gun.
U.S. District Choose Cathy Bencivengo stated Thursday that she agreed with one other decide’s discovering that the 40-year-old rapper, whose actual identify is Torrence Ivy Hatch Jr., could possibly be launched on bond with sure circumstances.
Prosecutors alleged this week that Hatch, who was arrested Could 6 throughout a visitors cease within the Chollas View neighborhood, was discovered with two weapons inside an SUV. Police allegedly noticed Hatch in a social media video with a gun in his waistband, then used a helicopter to trace down the automobile he was driving in.
Prosecutors renewed their allegations on Thursday that Hatch threatened his bodyguard for not claiming possession of the weapons and advised the guard, “You’re gonna to be in a physique bag.” Assistant U.S. Lawyer Michael Wheat advised the decide there have been issues for the guard’s security.
One among Hatch’s attorneys, Meghan Blanco, stated not one of the studies authored by the officers concerned in Hatch’s arrest talked about the alleged menace. It wasn’t till after Hatch’s arrest on federal fees over a month later that federal prosecutors claimed officers overheard the threatening statements, she argued.
Blanco additionally stated Hatch didn’t signify a flight threat, as he attended all court docket appearances within the state’s case towards him and was ready to plead responsible in that case.
On Tuesday, U.S. Justice of the Peace Choose Allison Goddard dominated Hatch could possibly be launched on $50,000 bond, a choice prosecutors rapidly appealed.
Bencivengo granted the prosecution’s request to remain Goddard’s ruling, however at Thursday’s listening to, she stated the federal government had not proven Hatch was a hazard to the group. Whereas the decide acknowledged she had issues concerning the alleged threats, she stated it was not clear whether or not they had been authentic threats or whether or not Hatch really made these statements.
Bencivengo raised Hatch’s bond to $100,000 and ordered him to bear common drug testing, however in any other case left the discharge circumstances Goddard set in place.
Hatch was in San Diego to shoot a music video within the Lincoln Park neighborhood and carried out at a Gaslamp Quarter nightclub following his arrest. The San Diego County District Lawyer’s Workplace charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, however the case was dismissed final week. Hatch was arrested shortly after a court docket look within the state’s case.
— Metropolis Information Service
