Patriots rookie Kayshon Boutte arrested on charges related to illegal betting while playing at LSU
Police said Boutte bet on LSU football games at least six times
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New England Patriots rookie receiver Kayshon Boutte was arrested in Louisiana Thursday after allegedly betting on thousands of games while underage, including several LSU games during his time on the team.
Boutte, 21, was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail and charged with felony computer fraud and a misdemeanor count of gaming prohibited by persons under 21, the Louisiana State Police said in a press release.
Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte of the LSU Tigers during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Caesars Superdome Sept. 4, 2022, in New Orleans. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
According to an investigation conducted by the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division, Boutte, who was 20 at the time, used an alias to place over 8,900 wagers, including 17 bets placed on college football games, from April 6, 2022, to May 7, 2023.
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Of those games, at least six were allegedly bets on LSU football.
A warrant for Boutte’s arrest was issued Jan. 18. Police said Thursday the investigation is ongoing and that "additional charges may be forthcoming."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}LSU confirmed to Nola.com it had learned of the allegations against Boutte in July 2023.
Kayshon Boutte of the LSU Tigers runs the ball for a 53-yard touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 3, 2022, in Atlanta. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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"In July 2023, LSU was made aware of allegations regarding a former student-athlete’s improper conduct related to sports gambling while enrolled at the university," the university said. "Since then, we have fully cooperated with all relevant authorities involved in the investigation and will continue to do so.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We have no evidence that any other student-athletes participated in these prohibited activities, and we are grateful for measures that detect and discourage sports gambling-related misconduct."
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Boutte did not bet "against himself" or LSU football, WFAB-TV reported.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Boutte played three seasons with the Tigers before declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft. He led the team in receiving yards his first two seasons and, in his final year, was second on the team with 48 receptions and 538 receiving yards.
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte during a game against the New York Jets Jan. 7, 2024, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round, Boutte finished his rookie season with two receptions for 19 yards in three games.
"The New England Patriots are aware that Kayshon Boutte is cooperating with Louisiana police regarding their investigation into an underage gambling charge while he was a student at Louisiana State University," a spokesperson for the Patriots told Fox News Digital.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I don’t anticipate that we will be providing any additional comments at this time."
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