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Music

Big Freedia Avoids Prison Time in Felony Theft Court Case

She will instead serve three years probation and pay a $35,000 fine.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons

New Orleans bounce artist Big Freedia will avoid prison time after pleading guilty earlier this year to felony theft, according to local publication The New Orleans Advocate. A federal court judge made the ruling at her trial sentencing today, ordering her instead to serve three years probation and pay a $35,000 fine. She originally faced a maximum of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Big Freedia, born Freddie Ross Jr., has been awaiting sentencing since March, when she admitted to understating her income on housing applications between the years of 2010 and 2014, accepting approximately $35,000 in Section 8 vouchers despite being making too much money to be eligible.

She was granted release ahead of her sentencing date by posting $25,000 bail, but has since encountered obstacles. Last month, she was ordered to live in a halfway house and submit to substance abuse testing after failing a series of drug tests, and thus violating the terms of her bail.