ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Superstar rapper Young Thug was released from jail Thursday night, hours after receiving a 40-year prison sentence in his internationally watched YSL criminal trial, with five years in prison being commuted . until the moment he was already behind bars, which led to his release.

With his release, Jeffery Williams (Young Thug’s real name) 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). Wiliams is also not allowed to be in the metro Atlanta area during the first ten years of his probation.

“You want to stay away from the metro Atlanta area,” Whitaker said.

Williams may return to Atlanta for important family events such as weddings, funerals, graduations or medical emergencies, and for community service.

“I’m going to demand that they come to metro Atlanta and do a live presentation against gangs and gun violence four times a year,” Whitaker said.

Jeffrey Williams Sr., Young Thug’s father, said he is against that part of the judge’s ruling because he is from there.

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.

“This is not what he wanted, I don’t think it’s fair, but I think it’s fair under the circumstances and he’s delighted, as are we,” said attorney Brian Steel. “For Jeffrey to go home today and not have another 100 days, 90 days like that, he’s very happy.”

These are the charges against one of the most decorated performers in American music 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 Georgia controlled substances law: guilty.

Shortly before 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Williams was sworn in and listened as Fulton County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Adriane Love read the charges against him. Love then asked Whitaker to give him a 45-year sentence, 25 of which he served in custody and 20 of which he served on parole.

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. He also pledged $100,000 to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office to host a gun buyback event; Refrain from being in the vicinity of the Cleveland Avenue area; and 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.

“I have learned from my mistakes.”

Williams’ plea deal is the latest development in the longest criminal trial in Georgia history. Earlier this week, Whitaker commented, for the first time publicly since taking control of the trial less than six months ago, that he believed there is evidence of a conspiracy similar to organized crime.

In accept a plea deal of one of young thugQuamarvious Nichols’ co-defendants, 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 falls within 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 (SB) and Deamonte Kendrick (aka Yak gotti) that remains in court. Court will resume Monday at 8:30 a.m.

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.”

On Wednesday, Rodalius Ryan (aka “Lil Rod”), pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Georgia RICO Act. Ryan, who had previously been convicted of the murder of Jamari Holmes in 2019, is already serving life in prison and was sentenced to another 10 years of time served.

Also on Wednesday, Marquavius ​​Huey (aka “Qua”) pleaded guilty to one count of RICO violation and accepted reduced sentences for robbery charges (reduced from armed robbery); and firearms charges.

On Tuesday, Quamarvious Nichols (aka “Qua”) accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for attempting to violate the RICO Act. In exchange, Fulton County prosecutors dropped the remaining charges of murder, participation in a criminal street gang, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Nichols was sentenced to 20 years in prison with seven of them on probation.

The plea deals came after Whitaker stopped the trial last week after defense attorneys objected to the testimony of Wunnie Lee (aka Slimelife Shawty), who had previously reached a plea deal to change of his testimony. A social media post that included the hashtag was shown in court #freequaa reference to a previous jail sentence for one of YSL’s co-defendants who is now on trial alongside Jeffery Williams, Young Thug’s real name.

Opening statements were held at Young Thug’s 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.

Young Thug marked his 33rd birthday on August 16, 2024after 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 concerns about the judgment long, and Fulton County prosecutors still have more than 100 witnesses to call.

Prosecutors are trying to prove that 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.

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