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

Sakege November 1, 2024

ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) – Rap star Young Thug accepted a plea deal in his internationally watched criminal trial.

Jeffery Williams (Young Thug’s real name) was released from jail Thursday night as part of his guilty plea, although he could be put back behind bars if he violates the terms of his sentence.

With his release, Williams will serve 15 years of probation.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker said if Williams is successful on probation, the remainder of his sentence will be commuted to time served.

Williams is also prohibited from having contact with any of YSL’s other co-defendants or witnesses in the trial, except for his biological brother. Quantum Grier (aka Unfoonk) and Sergio Giavanni Kitchens (aka Gunna).

Accompanied by attorneys Brian Steele and Keith Adams, Williams accepted a non-negotiated plea, which can result when a defendant and prosecutors cannot agree on a sentence.

Defense attorneys give the judge full authority over the sentence. The judge could follow the recommendations of the state or defense attorneys or impose an entirely different sentence.

Earlier Thursday, Williams was sworn in and listened as Fulton County Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love read the charges against him. Williams was accompanied by his attorneys, Brian Steele and Keith Adams.

Williams pleaded guilty to the rest of the charges against him, including violations of Georgia drug and firearms charges.

These are the charges against Williams and how he pleaded:

Violation of the Georgia RICO Act – nolo contendere (no competition);
Organizer of a criminal street gang activity (leadership position) – nolo contendere (no competition);
Participation in criminal street gang activity: guilty;
Possession of a machine gun: guilty;
Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony: guilty;
Three violations of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act: guilty.

Love asked Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker to impose a 45-year sentence, with 25 years spent in custody and 20 years on probation.

Williams’ attorneys asked for a 45-year sentence on the charges with 40 years of probation and time served. They also requested that Williams be placed under house arrest for three years and agreed to wear an ankle monitor for one year.

The attorneys also promised that $100,000 would go to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office to host a firearms buyback event. Williams will refrain from being in the vicinity of the Cleveland Avenue area and will perform 100 hours of community service over the next three years.

“I take full responsibility for my crimes,” Williams said. “I’m a smart guy; I’m a good boy. I hope you allow me to come home and trust me to do the right thing.

Williams added: “I’ve learned from my mistakes.”

Williams’ plea deal was the latest development in what has become the longest criminal trial in Georgia history.

Earlier this week, Whitaker commented, for the first time publicly since he took over the trial less than six months ago, that he believed there was evidence of an organized crime-like conspiracy.

In accept a plea deal of one of Williams Co-defendants Quamarvious Nichols and Whitaker said: “Having heard the evidence up to the point of trial at this point, I believe that there is evidence of at least one overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy and that there is evidence that would fall within the scope of the conspiracy.” ”. the statute of limitations required to establish this RICO conspiracy.”

Williams and three of his remaining co-defendants have since reached plea deals, leaving only Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick (aka Yak gotti) that remains in court.

On Thursday, Douglas Weinstein, Kendrick’s attorney, said his client rejected a plea deal. Weinstein said his client “has every intention of taking this to the jury and getting our not guilty verdict and going home.”

Opening statements were held at Williams’ trial on November 27, 2023.

the trial jury selection lasted longer than any other in Georgia history, and actual witness testimony will likely surpass state records. Both records were set by the 2014-15 Atlanta Public Schools teachers scandal and trial.

Williams marked his 33rd birthday on August 16 after being arrested on May 9, 2022, along with 27 other suspected gang members in Buckhead as part of a 56-count indictment.

The trial itself began on November 27, 2023.

Defense attorneys have repeatedly expressed concern about the judgment long, and Fulton County prosecutors still have more than 100 witnesses to call.

Prosecutors are trying to prove that Young Slime Life or YSL is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous crimes. Defense attorneys say YSL is not a gang but simply the name of a record label.

Williams was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of codeine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun.