Chicago rapper Lil Zay Osama has cleared the air about rumors claiming he received a 30-year prison sentence for a gun possession charge in New York. On November 7, a judge sentenced the rapper, whose real name is Isaiah Dukes, to 14 months in prison following his guilty plea to a federal gun charge related to the possession of a machine gun. Following widespread rumors online, Lil Zay Osama took to Instagram on November 11 to clarify his actual sentence and address misconceptions about the case.
In his Instagram Stories, Lil Zay Osama responded directly to the exaggerated claims circulating on social media, urging fans not to trust everything they see online. “Stop believing everything u hear or see on the internet!” he wrote. “You really think u can get 30 years for a switch? Hell no!!” He went on to clarify the legal consequences of carrying a firearm with a “switch” – an aftermarket device that converts a pistol into a fully automatic weapon. According to Osama, while switches can lead to serious penalties, a 30-year sentence would be highly unusual, especially without prior offenses.
Switches, Osama noted, are increasingly scrutinized due to the heightened threat they pose to public safety. Although switches carry a three- to four-year penalty in many places, his 14-month sentence was a “blessing” in his view, especially given the dangerous nature of the modification. Osama cautioned his fans against assuming they would receive similar outcomes if found in possession of a modified firearm, advising, “Don’t look at my situation and think you need a switch cause it can end bad for you.”
In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Nina Morrison ordered Osama to pay a $10,000 fine. His case drew attention for both the nature of the weapon and the circumstances of his arrest: the rapper left the modified gun in the back seat of a rideshare vehicle after traveling from Manhattan to Queens in 2022. Following the discovery, a grand jury indicted Osama on federal charges in January 2024, as prosecutors cited the extreme danger posed by fully automatic weapons.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace commented on the sentencing, emphasizing the risks associated with illegal firearms and modified weapons. “The defendant knowingly carried a fully automatic weapon, a pistol with a switch device whose only purpose is to make a dangerous weapon all the more deadly – and then carelessly left that gun in the back of a rideshare,” Peace stated. “This sentence serves as a warning that those who possess illegal guns, particularly with switches that convert those guns into machine guns, will be held accountable for their actions.”
Expressing gratitude for the outcome, Lil Zay Osama thanked his family, children, and record label for their support throughout his legal ordeal. While he acknowledges the mistakes that led to his sentencing, his message underscores the importance of understanding the legal repercussions tied to illegal gun modifications and staying informed about the risks associated with firearm switches. As he prepares to serve his sentence, the rapper’s message to fans highlights his hope to turn a difficult chapter into a lesson on accountability and caution.