Tag: Kayshon Boutte

Report: Gambling and fraud charges dropped against Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte

The gambling and fraud charges against Kayshon Boutte have reportedly been dropped

The state of Louisiana has reportedly dropped the gambling and fraud charges against New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news through Boutte’s attorney Tuesday morning.

Boutte was arrested back in January for charges stemming from his time in college at LSU. He was accused of creating a fake sports gaming account online and representing himself to be 21 years or older, despite being underaged for gambling.

It led to him allegedly placing more than 8,900 illegal bets with more than $500,000 in payouts.

This latest report is obviously good news for Boutte, who can now put the charges behind him and focus on the business of football. Training camp is right around the corner, and he already faces an uphill battle to make a Patriots roster that has upgraded at the receiver position.

New England spent a second and fourth-round draft pick on rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in the 2024 NFL draft. They also signed veteran K.J. Osborn in free agency.

With Kendrick Bourne also set to return and DeMario Douglas emerging as one of the top receiving threats, Boutte could be an odd man out this summer. Granted, he did pick up some steam in the minicamp practices on multiple connections with rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

He’ll have to build on that to ensure a spot on the Patriots’ 53-man roster.

Brian Kelly on Kyren Lacy’s improvement as LSU’s top receiver

Brian Kelly says wide receiver Kyren Lacy is set for a breakout campaign in 2024.

With [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] gone, LSU’s looking for a new WR1 to step up. So far, that’s been fifth-year senior [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag].

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] spoke with the media on Saturday and discussed Lacy’s strides in the absence of Nabers and Thomas.

“One of the things that has clearly been present is that consistency,” Kelly said. “That wasn’t necessarily the case with Kyren, he was easily distracted at times and I think what has happened here more than anything else is he has found the right zone to be in as it relates to practice and preparation.”

Kelly added that Lacy benefitted from seeing Nabers and Thomas perform day in and day out.

Lacy began his career under Billy Napier at Louisiana before transferring to LSU in 2022. With NFL receivers like [autotag]Kayshon Boutte[/autotag], Nabers and Thomas on the roster, Lacy hasn’t been featured in the offense. Now, that opportunity is there.

Despite being LSU’s third option last year, Lacy still managed to post career-high totals with 30 catches for 558 yards and seven touchdowns. He’ll look to build on those numbers further in 2024.

“He’s going to have a breakout season,” Kelly said.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Shannon Sharpe gives Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte ‘dumdum award’ for recent arrest

Shannon Sharpe calls Kayshon Boutte a “dumdum” after recent arrest

Shannon Sharpe wasn’t in the mood for holding back when talking about New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who was recently arrested on illegal online gambling charges.

Boutte faces one misdemeanor count of underage gaming and a felony count of computer fraud. He is accused of creating a fake account for gambling while representing himself as 21 years old or older when he was actually underage.

The former LSU star wideout allegedly placed over 8,900 bets with some involving LSU games. However, the fake names used had Boutte’s first and last name in them.

During an episode of “Nightcap” with Chad Johnson, Sharpe named Boutte as the “dumdum of the day.”

“…Now, normally Ocho, when you’re doing something illegal, you try to go out of your way, I’m not going to use my name,” said Sharpe. “If I’m robbing banks or something, I’m going to use a stolen car. I’m not going to use my car. Let me tell you what dumdum did.

“Now you would think, you know you’re not supposed to be gambling, illegal gambling or to definitely not be gambling on college football or your game. Guess what dumdum did. Guess what his username was. …His username to place these illegal bets was Kayshon Boutte.”

Per WAFB 9, Boutte arranged to turn himself in before posting a $6,000 bond and being released. There has been no word yet on whether he’ll face disciplinary action from the NFL.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Patriots spokesperson releases statement on WR Kayshon Boutte’s arrest

A spokesperson for the Patriots has released a statement on rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte’s arrest

A New England Patriots spokesperson has reportedly released a statement regarding the arrest of rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who is facing illegal online gaming charges.

Per a report from WAFB 9 on Thursday, Boutte allegedly created a fake account for gambling and falsely represented himself as 21 years old or older, when he was underaged.

The charges stem from his days at LSU, but according to the report, through a source, Boutte never bet “against himself” and isn’t being accused of throwing games.

Per the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan, the statement from the Patriots’ spokesperson read:

The New England Patriots are aware that Kayshon Boutte is cooperating with Louisiana Police regarding their investigation into an underage gambling charge while he was a student at Louisiana State University. I don’t anticipate that we will be providing any additional comments at this time.

Boutte’s affidavit lists two counts of charges, a felony for computer fraud and a misdemeanor for gaming or employment in gaming prohibited for persons under 21. He allegedly placed more than 8,900 bets under a fake account with some of the wagers being placed on LSU football games.

Discipline could come down from the NFL in this situation, and given the league’s strict stance on gambling, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it’s severe.

Boutte only caught two passes for 19 yards in his rookie season. With significant change expected to come for a Patriots team in a complete rebuild, the former LSU standout might have created an even steeper climb for himself to stick on the roster.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Former LSU receiver Kayshon Boutte arrested for illegal sports gambling

Kayshon Boutte was arrested in Baton Rouge on charges stemming from an illegal online gambling scheme.

Former LSU and current New England Patriots receiver [autotag]Kayshon Boutte[/autotag] has been arrested in Baton Rouge on charges relating to an illegal online gambling scheme. WAFB in Baton Rouge, which received a copy of the warrant for Boutte’s arrest, was the first to report the news.

According to the affidavit, Boutte is accused of placing nearly 9,000 bets, including some on NCAA football, for over a year. Boutte was still on the Tigers football team for part of that period.

WAFB reports that the wagers and payouts are in the “several hundred thousand dollars” range.

Prosecutors allege that Boutte used a fraudulent online gambling account while he was underage indicating he was 21 and legally allowed to gamble. Per the warrant, he was arrested on one felony count of computer fraud and a misdemeanor count of underage gambling.

Several of the wagers were placed on LSU games while Boutte was still a member of the team, but WAFB reports that Boutte is not believed to have bet against the Tigers and is not accused of throwing any games.

“In July 2023, LSU was made aware of allegations regarding a former student-athlete’s improper conduct related to sports gambling while enrolled at the University,” LSU said in a statement. “Since then, we have fully cooperated with all relevant authorities involved in the investigation and will continue to do so. We have no evidence that any other student-athletes participated in these prohibited activities, and we are grateful for measures that detect and discourage sports gambling related misconduct.”

Boutte turned himself in and was reportedly released immediately after posting a $6,000 bond.

The New Iberia native joined the Tigers in 2020, and he recorded 735 yards as a true freshman. He was on pace for a massive season in 2021 that was cut short due to an ankle injury.

He returned in 2022 but missed two games — one due to the birth of his child and the other as part of a suspension for receiving money in exchange for signed autographs in 2021. His production dropped overall, though he still finished his three-year LSU career with 1,782 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns.

Once seen as a possible first-round pick, Boutte fell to the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. He appeared in five games as a rookie this season, totaling two catches for 19 yards.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Report: Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte arrested on illegal online gaming charges

Patriots rookie WR Kayshon Boutte was reportedly arrested on illegal online gaming charges

New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has reportedly been arrested on illegal online gaming charges. WAFB 9 reported the news on Thursday.

Per the report, some of the alleged illegal gaming occurred when Boutte was still in college at LSU. He is accused of creating a fake account representing himself as 21 years old or older, despite being underaged for gambling.

This enabled him to place “thousands of different bets including some on LSU football” with “several hundred thousand dollars” in wagers and payouts.

Boutte has since turned himself in with one misdemeanor charge and a felony. He was set to be booked at East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and be released after posting $6,000 bond.

There was a time when Boutte was believed to be one of the best receiving prospects in the country, but he ultimately fell to the Patriots in the sixth-round of the 2023 NFL draft. He failed to make an impact in his first year with only five game appearances and two receptions for 19 yards.

Per WAFB 9, through a source, Boutte “never bet ‘against himself'” and isn’t being accused of throwing games in college.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. declares for 2024 NFL draft

Brian Thomas Jr. currently leads the nation in receiving touchdowns with 17.

LSU star receiver [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] is off to the NFL.

After leading the nation in receiving touchdowns with 17 in 2023, Thomas declared for the 2024 NFL draft. He chose not to opt out of the ReliaQuest Bowl, in which he led the team in receiving yards with 98 on eight catches while adding two more touchdowns to his season total for good measure.

Thomas’ production at LSU was always limited by talent in the receiving room from the likes of [autotag]Kayshon Boutte[/autotag] and [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag], who hasn’t made an official draft decision but is also expected to declare. But after two years as a rotational receiver, he took off in 2023.

He started 12 of 13 games, finishing with 1,177 yards on 68 catches in 2023 despite splitting targets with Nabers, the Biletnikoff Award runner-up who also led the nation in receiving yards.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1ngBnypHZK/?hl=en

Thomas’ departure was expected, but it will certainly hurt an LSU offense that has to replace much of its offensive production, including Heisman-winning quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag].

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Patriots Week 17 inactives: Trent Brown OUT vs Bills

Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown is inactive for Sunday’s game against the Bills

The New England Patriots have officially ruled out offensive tackle Trent Brown for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

Brown has dealt with a multitude of injuries and an illness leading up to the game. However, there was hope that he would be able to go considering he was removed from the injury report on Friday.

It’s another odd situation in a season full of many for Brown, who is set to hit free agency in 2024.

The Patriots will also be missing safety Jabrill Peppers and tight end Hunter Henry for the Week 17 matchup. On Saturday, the team tried to make up for those absences by signing safety Joshuah Bledsoe to the main roster, while also elevating offensive lineman Andrew Stueber and tight end Matt Sokol from the practice squad.

Here’s the list of inactives for both teams on New Year’s Eve:

The Patriots could play spoiler for a second consecutive week if they’re able to upset a Bills team still trying to solidify a playoff spot.

Buffalo has been red-hot as of late with wins over the Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs, while the Patriots are coming off a huge upset win over the Denver Broncos.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Patriots downgrade two more players to out ahead of Bills matchup

#Patriots downgrade two more players to out ahead of #Bills matchup:

The New England Patriots will have to face the Buffalo Bills without one of their best defensive players on the field.

On Saturday, the team announced safety Jabrill Peppers has officially been ruled out because of a hamstring injury. The Patriots (4-11) also ruled out rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte due to illness.

Two duo join wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) who had already been ruled out.

Peppers was limited in practice on Friday and was listed as questionable to play.

Throughout this week multiple Patriots players have appeared on their injury report due to an illness that appears to be going around the team’s locker room. Boutte was previously listed with an illness but was removed from the injury report only to now be ruled out.

Without Boutte, New England’s top receivers will likely be rookie Demario Douglas and DeVante Parker. Jalen Mills or Adrian Phillips would be the next man up behind Peppers.

[lawrence-related id=129481,129467,129334]

Patriots downgrade two players as out ahead of Bills matchup

Two players have been ruled out for the Patriots ahead of Sunday’s game.

The New England Patriots will have to face Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills offense without one of their best defensive players on the field.

On Saturday, the team announced safety Jabrill Peppers has officially been ruled out for the game. Peppers, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury, returned to practice as a limited participant on Friday, but he isn’t far enough along for the team to give him the green light to play.

The Patriots also ruled out rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, which is a bit of a surprise considering he recently came off the injury report.

With JuJu Smith-Schuster being out, there was hope Boutte could get an opportunity. Tyquan Thornton hasn’t lived up to expectations, and the team has relied heavily on Demario Douglas and DeVante Parker with quarterback Bailey Zappe under center.

Being shorthanded is nothing new for this Patriots team. It feels like a weekly occurrence at this point.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]