LITTLE ROCK, AR — Arkansas rapper Freddie Gladney III, known professionally as “Bankroll Freddie,” has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison following a 2022 arrest on multiple charges.
Gladney, 30, faced a four-day trial in April, where he was found guilty of several federal offenses, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and using a telephone in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The charges stem from an investigation that began in 2022, during which federal authorities linked Gladney to drug distribution and firearms offenses. The court concluded that his actions violated federal law, resulting in the 12-year sentence.
Gladney rose to fame in the Arkansas hip-hop scene with his music career but now faces years away from the industry. His sentencing serves as part of a broader federal effort to curb gun violence and drug trafficking in Arkansas and across the country.
The case highlights the challenges the music industry faces in balancing fame with personal and legal responsibility. Federal prosecutors hope this sentence serves as a deterrent to others involved in similar activities.