Hotboii’s lawyer clarifies confusion over hashtag mistaken for gang

Hotboii was recently released from prison after a three-year RICO bid, and we now have some new details about how he achieved his freedom. Additionally, the Orlando Sentinel reported on Wednesday (Sept. 18) about his attorney Lyle Mazin and what he had to do in court to get his client out of his legal trouble and dismiss the case. According to Mazin, the Florida rapper’s case revolved around two main offenses. These are using electronic communications to promote gangs and possession of a firearm by a person with a criminal record.

For those unaware, authorities accused Hotboii of promoting guns and lyrical content via Instagram, as well as possessing a weapon in his vehicle. He allegedly led the 438 gang in Orlando, which fought the Army gang, which was allegedly led by 9lokknine. The “NASA” MC’s attorney, Lyle Mazin, argued in court that 438 is not a gang, but merely a social media hashtag to represent his Pine Hills neighborhood in Orlando. Mazin argued that even his client’s Instagram handle, @itshotboii438, and other posts under that number only promote his neighborhood and not any type of criminal organization or activity.

“He wasn’t promoting a gang,” Mazin said of his client Hotboii. “He was promoting his label and his music. That’s what he did. It’s similar to Biggie Smalls, or Kodak Black, or any major artist promoting their music.” He also argued that his client’s security had the gun in question to protect him from threats against his life allegedly made by the aforementioned rival gang. Because of these arguments and others, the court ultimately dropped the RICO charges against the Blinded by death artist, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy as part of a deal with prosecutors.

In the meantime, we’ll see what else Hotboii does this year to celebrate his freedom. He’s already released a “first day out” single with “9/11,” and we can only guess what his priorities are. Maybe the “Throw In The Towel” creative just wants to lay low with his loved ones before planting his flag again.