Patriots WR arrested on illegal gambling charges

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has been arrested on gambling-related charges.

Louisiana State Police announced on Thursday that Boutte turned himself in after a warrant was issued for his arrest. According to Scottie Hunter of WAFB 9 in Baton Rouge, Boutte was charged with computer fraud, which is a felony, and a misdemeanor count of gaming prohibited for persons under 21.

Boutte was booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and released after posting a $6,000 bond.

Boutte, who turned 21 last May, is accused of creating a fraudulent online gaming account while he was underage so he could illegally gamble. He allegedly used the account to place thousands of different wagers, including some while he was still playing at LSU. Some of the wagers involved LSU football games. The wagers reportedly involved “several hundred thousand dollars.”

Hunter reports that Boutte never bet “against himself” while he was at LSU, so there is no indication he threw any games while he was with the Tigers.

LSU said in a statement that the school was made aware of the allegations in July 2023. University officials have cooperated with the investigation and have not uncovered any evidence that other student-athletes were involved.

Boutte played three seasons at LSU before being drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round last year. He played in five games as a rookie and had just two catches for 19 yards.