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.
The team 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.
