Rapper Young Thug pleads guilty to gang, drug and gun charges

ATLANTA (AP) Rapper Young Thug pleaded guilty Thursday in Atlanta to gang, drug and weapons charges and shall be released from prison, although he could return to prison if he violates the terms of his sentence.

The 33-year-old Grammy winner, real name Jeffery Williams, made his pleas without reaching an agreement with prosecutors after negotiations between the 2 sides broke down, lead prosecutor Adriane Love said. That left sentencing entirely up to Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker.

Young Thug’s allegations come two and a half years after he was arrested and charged, and nearly a yr after prosecutors began presenting evidence within the troubled trial. Jury selection in an Atlanta courthouse began in January 2023 AND it took almost 10 months. Since then, prosecutors have interviewed dozens of witnesses opening statements last November six defendants within the trial.

The trial faced multiple delays, including in July when the unique judge was removed after two defendants requested his refusal, citing the judge’s meeting with prosecutors and a state witness.

Young Thug pleaded guilty to one gang charge, three drug charges and two weapons charges. He also entered a no contest plea on one other gang charge and a racketeering conspiracy charge, meaning he selected not to contest those charges but could possibly be punished for them as if he had pleaded guilty.

The judge sentenced him to 40 years in prison, the primary five of which were to be served but commuted to time served, followed by 15 years of probation. If he successfully completes probation with none violations, one other 20 years shall be credited to time served. However, if he violates those terms, he could have to serve those 20 years as well as to any probation violation penalties.

The young gunman must keep away from the Atlanta metro area for the primary 10 years of his probation, aside from weddings, funerals, graduations or serious illnesses of members of the family, the judge said.

But she also ordered him to return to the Atlanta area 4 times a yr during his probation period to give a live presentation on the fight against gangs and gun violence at a college or community organization that serves children. She said it could possibly be counted toward the 100 hours of community service she ordered him to perform every year while on probation.

He can also be prohibited from meeting with gang members, victims or other defendants within the case, aside from his brother and rapper Gunna, with whom he has contractual obligations. He also may not promote any street gang or criminal gang activity or use hand signs or terminology that promotes a street gang.

Additional conditions include submitting to random drug tests and not possessing weapons. However, he may travel for business purposes each domestically and abroad, even throughout the trial period.

Love outlined to the judge the evidence she would present to prove Young Thug’s guilt, including a few of his rap lyrics. She asked the judge to sentence him to 45 years, of which 25 years in prison and the remaining 20 years suspended.

The rapper’s lead attorney, Brian Steel, said they “strongly disagree” with lots of Love’s statements and said it was “offensive” that the state was using Young Thug’s lyrics against him.

Steel said the evidence against his client was weak and accused prosecutors of presenting false information and concealing evidence, saying Young Thug was “falsely accused.” Steel said he told his client he believed they were winning the trial and should get the jury’s verdict.

“But he told me, ‘I am unable to wait one other three months if there may be any way I can come home because I even have sick children. I even have things to do,” Steel said.

Steel asked the judge to impose a sentence of 45 years in prison, which could possibly be commuted to five years in prison and 40 years of probation.

Young Thug asked the judge to let him go home, saying he would not be in the same situation again.

“You know, I learned from my mistakes. I got here from nothing, I created something and I didn’t use it to its full potential. “I’m sorry,” he said.

Featured Stories

The judge said she appreciated that he recognized the impact he was having on people world wide. She said that in rap music, rap music may involve striking many poses, but children imitate a number of the dangerous behaviors mentioned within the songs. She encouraged Young Thug to use his talent and influence to encourage children to do the appropriate thing.

“I want you to strive to be more of a solution and less of a problem,” Whitaker said.

Young Thug, a hugely successful rapper, began his own record label, Young Stoner Life or YSL. Prosecutors said he also co-founded a violent street gang and that YSL stands for Young Slime Life.

Was charged two years ago in a lengthy indictment that accuses him and greater than two dozen others of conspiring to violate Georgia’s anti-racketeering law. He was also charged with crimes related to gangs, drugs and weapons.

His Young Thug’s three co-defendants did it he has already pleaded guilty this week after reaching an agreement with prosecutors. The charges leave the fate of two other co-defendants still unresolved.

Nine people charged within the indictment agreed to plea deals before the trial began. Twelve other persons are being tried individually. Prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case.