The New England Patriots are dealing with a difficult situation after wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was detained last Thursday by Louisiana State Police as part of an ongoing investigation into illicit sports gaming.
Gambling under the age of 20 is a serious offence in Louisiana, thus Boutte is accused of using a false account to gamble as a 20-year-old while attending LSU. According to sources, he utilised the account to place 8,900 bets between April 6, 2022, and May 7, 2023, with 17 bets on NCAA football games and about six on LSU.
The total wagers and payments totaled $700,000, and the bettors used an alias to avoid the 21-year-old age requirement. However, the receiver has never gambled against him.
According to a statement made by Louisiana State Police, Boutte is charged with one felony of computer fraud and one misdemeanour of gambling, which is forbidden for those under the age of 21. He was placed in the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail on Thursday, and if the case progresses, he may face further charges.
An online gaming company contacted law enforcement about Boutte’s offence, which prompted the investigation. He was released immediately after his arrest when the receiver secured the $6,000 bond.
LSU statement regarding rookie Kayshon Boutte’s arrest
Rookie Boutte was picked in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft, therefore he may face NFL penalty as a result of his arrest on criminal charges, as the draft took place on April 29, 2023 – the same day he was allegedly involved in gambling.
According to WAFB, LSU has issued an official statement addressing Boutte’s arrest. The statement reads:
