Big Freedia’s growing career has been in jeopardy ever since March when she was charged with stealing Section 8 vouchers for years after she’d become a popular reality TV star. Since then, Freedia has been awaiting sentencing over the charges, but according to news reports, Freedia may be jeopardizing her chances of staying out of jail because she recently found herself in trouble with the judge and was ordered to stay in a halfway house until her sentencing.
As previously reported, the drama all began back in March when Freedia was charged with stealing more than $34K worth of Section 8 vouchers by the U.S. Attorney’s Office from 2010 to 2014, when her income exceeded the federal subsidized housing limit thanks to her growing success.
Freedia immediately pleaded guilty to the charges and was released on a $25K bond. Freedia is reportedly facing up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250K when she finally faces sentencing. However, as a part of the deal, Freedia was also ordered to attend drug rehab treatment and submit to continued drug testing by a probation officer.
Although many would try to clean up their act to avoid a harsh sentence, new media reports claim that Freedia recently appeared in court after failing multiple drug tests.
Freedia appeared before U.S. District Judge Lance Africk recently and he reportedly issued an arrest warrant for the famous bounce rapper after she failed three drug tests and tested positive for marijuana and methamphetamine. Sources say that Africk repeatedly chastised Freedia for jeopardizing her upcoming August 11 sentencing.
“This is the worst possible time for you to do this. You could be sentenced to prison,” Africk reportedly told Freedia in court. “Honestly, this could work out very poorly for you.”
According to sources, the judge came down the hardest on Freedia for testing positive for two different drugs on June 21 and Freedia’s probation officer, Tara Sawicki, explained to the judge that Freedia had given her multiple excuses about the methamphetamine use. Freedia initially told Sawicki that a Dallas promoter told her that she was taking Valium. Then she later told Sawicki that the promoter told her that it was Adderall.
However, drug experts informed Sawicki that neither of those drugs would’ve made Freedia test positive for methamphetamine.
“Quite frankly, I have a very big question about whether you’ve been candid and truthful with U.S. Probation. The story changes. First it’s Valium, then it’s Adderall,” the judge reportedly told Freedia.
Freedia tried to interject with an apology and was cut off by the judge.
“This is not your stage; this is a federal courthouse. So hold off. I don’t know if you think there’s a separate rule for Big Freedia, because you’re an entertainer, but let me assure you that there’s not,” Africk reportedly told Freedia.
During the hearing, Africk grilled Freedia about why she lied about her drug use and demanded that Freedia offer up the name of the promoter. However, Freedia claimed that she didn’t remember the promoter’s name and then she changed her story, once again, and claimed that the pill was actually ecstasy and that it was given to her by a fan in the crowd at one of her shows.
Freedia then allegedly claimed that she lied to her probation officer because she’s under stress, which she claims is partially from caring for her ill uncle, who is a double-amputee. However, Freedia eventually admitted that she has a drug problem.
“I do have a problem with marijuana,” Freedia told the judge.
Africk consulted with federal prosecutors about how to handle Freedia’s multiple bond violations and they suggested that Freedia’s touring life offers up too many temptations for the performer. Now, Freedia has been ordered to live in a halfway house and must receive prior approval before leaving the center.
Well, things don’t look so good for Freedia and it’s looking like her chances of being put behind bars in August have now become more.likely.
