New England Patriots wide receiver KeShon Bute is no longer expected to face charges related to underage gambling and computer fraud.
Lawyers representing the NFL players told ESPN that the state of Louisiana has dropped the charges.
Bout was taken into police custody in January after being accused of making multiple online sports bets while a minor. Most of the alleged conduct occurred during Bute’s tenure with the LSU Tigers.
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November 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (80) watches the game at MetLife Stadium. (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)
Louisiana State Police Gambling Enforcement Division officials charged the football player with making more than 8,000 personal sports bets over a 13-month period that allegedly began in April 2022.
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The possible inappropriate betting is believed to have ended in May 2023.
Kayshon Boutte No. 7 of the LSU Tigers plays against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of an SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia (Georgia Bulldogs) ran 53 yards for a touchdown. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Louisiana law states that individuals must be 21 years of age or older to legally gamble. Bout was 20 years old at the time of the alleged bet. Investigators have previously asserted that Bout may have used an alias when dealing with betting platforms.
Investigators also allege that multiple bets were placed on college football games, including an estimated six games involving LSU.
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (80) and line judge during a game between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts The referee checks. (Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Earlier this year, the NFL announced its intention to launch an independent investigation into Bout’s alleged activities.
NFL players are strictly prohibited from betting on any game in the league, but they are allowed to bet on other sports. Butt was not charged with betting on NFL games after being drafted.
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However, the NFL could still punish Bute if the league’s extensive investigation determines that he violated any league policies during his rookie season.
Bute’s playing time was limited in 2023, appearing in only 5 games. The Patriots decided to select two receivers in April’s draft, which could mean Boutte will have to fight to make the 2024 roster.
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