Kayshon Boutte gambling case: State of Louisiana provides clarity on charges against Patriots WR
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was charged with a variety of infractions related to illegal sports gambling. A long history of activity brought the law down on the former LSU product, but the latest update states that things are easing up now.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported:
"The state of Louisiana has dropped the underage gambling and computer fraud charges against Kayshon Boutte, the Patriots wide receiver’s attorney told ESPN."
Boutte was accused of placing almost 9,000 bets in 13 months while he was a student at LSU. At the time he bet, he was 20 and therefore unable to legally gamble in Louisiana.
Authorities claimed that 17 bets were on NCAA football games, and six were on games involving LSU. There was no evidence to suggest he bet against LSU and tried to then fix the games.
The wide receiver turned himself in to state authorities in January and was officially facing the underage gambling charge and the illegal gambling charge. Both of those have now been dropped, leaving Boutte with a much brighter future.
Jerod Mayo discussed Kayshon Boutte's availability
If Kayshon Boutte avoids any punishment, he will be an asset to a New England Patriots offense that is not shaping up to be explosive this season. Boutte could make a difference there, but it all depends on his legal status.
He was with the team for training camp in late May, and head coach Jerod Mayo said, via NBC Sports:
“Right now he’s out here. We’ll wait to hear from the league going forward, but he’s out here doing a good job for us."
The league hasn't acted yet. It's unclear if they will, especially if the charges have been formally dropped. If there's nothing facing Boutte, it's hard to imagine a suspension or fine being handed down, though the NFL has acted on its own regardless of the legal situation before. Additionally, since the betting took place before Boutte was drafted, it's unlikely the NFL will need to punish him.