The federal case against Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier has taken another bizarre turn. Prosecutors are now alleging that a co-defendant in the case tried to intimidate witnesses—by posting rat emojis on Instagram.

Yes, you read that correctly. A rat emoji could be at the center of an NBA gambling scandal.

The Rat Emoji That Could Land a Man in Jail

According to a court filing Tuesday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Deniro Laster—Rozier’s childhood friend and co-defendant—has “repeatedly and flagrantly violated the conditions of his release.”

Prosecutors say Laster has attempted to contact co-defendants both directly and through intermediaries. But the most eye-catching allegation? Instagram accounts linked to Laster posted rat emojis on at least two occasions.

Why does that matter? Because Laster has a reputation as “someone who had a gun collection and who typically carried a gun.” Prosecutors argue that posting a rat emoji—widely understood as slang for an informant—combined with his firearm reputation suggests an intent to intimidate witnesses.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is now asking a judge to revoke Laster’s bond and hold him in custody until trial, calling it “the only means of ensuring that he will comply with the Court’s orders, refrain from further criminal conduct, preserve the integrity of these proceedings, and protect witnesses or perceived witnesses.”

The Alleged Scheme: A $70,000 Tip-Off

So what exactly is this case about? It all goes back to a March 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans.

Prosecutors allege that Rozier informed Laster he planned to leave the game early. Laster then allegedly sold that information to fellow sports bettors so they could place fraudulent bets. In exchange, Laster allegedly paid Rozier a bribe of roughly $70,000.

Both men are facing charges that include conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud. Their trial is scheduled for Feb. 8, 2027, and both have pleaded not guilty.

Rozier’s Defense: ‘Don’t Tell Chum’

Rozier’s attorneys are fighting back. In a court filing late last week, they pointed to a text message from Laster to an unidentified recipient that read: “Dont tell chum bout the bet.”

“Chum,” they say, is Rozier’s nickname. The implication? If Rozier was in on the scheme, why would Laster tell someone not to tell him about it?

Prosecutors aren’t buying it. They responded that they have evidence suggesting that exchange “does not relate to sports gambling.”

What’s Next

A status conference for all defendants is scheduled for Tuesday. Laster’s attorney has not yet responded to requests for comment.

For now, the case continues to unfold, with prosecutors doubling down on their allegations and Rozier’s legal team pushing for the charges to be dismissed. Whether a rat emoji turns out to be a key piece of evidence or just a bizarre footnote remains to be seen.

But one thing is certain: this case is far from over.