Judge: Big Freedia must live in halfway house, drug-tested

NEW ORLEANS – A federal judge has ruled bounce musician Big Freedia must live in a halfway house and submit to substance abuse testing after repeatedly testing positive for illegal drugs.

The New Orleans Advocate (http://bit.ly/29pgEFe ) reports U.S. District Judge Lance Africk determined after a hearing Wednesday that the entertainer, born Freddie Ross Jr., ran afoul of the conditions of her $25,000 bond. The drug test results came as Big Freedia, who pleaded guilty in March to the felony theft of nearly $35,000 in Section 8 housing vouchers, awaited an Aug. 11 sentencing.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Big Freedia tested positive for marijuana in April and May, then tested positive for marijuana and methamphetamines on June 21.

Big Freedia faces a maximum 10-year sentence and $250,000 fine.

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Information from: The New Orleans Advocate, http://www.neworleansadvocate.com

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