young thug is coming home.

The rapper, who has been on trial since last November on extortion charges, pleaded guilty in the long-standing case Thursday, but avoided prison time with probation.

The Atlanta-born rap star (real name: Jeffery Lamar Williams) changed his plea to guilty in a Georgia court after a brief recess. “Is it your decision to give up these rights and plead guilty because you are actually guilty?” Fulton County Deputy Prosecutor Adriane Love asked Young Thug, to which he responded, “Yes.”

Before the change of plea, Whitaker asked if the rapper accepted a no-negotiated plea, meaning prosecutors and the defense couldn’t reach an agreement on sentencing and the judge decides his punishment, according to NBC News.

The judge commuted Young Thug’s sentence to 40 years, which would have required the rapper to serve five years in prison. The sentence was adjusted to take into account time previously served. He was also given 15 years of probation, along with 20 years “delayed,” a sentence he will serve in custody if Young Thug does not complete his probation.

Before his final sentencing, Young Thug faced a maximum sentence of 120 years in prison. Prosecutors requested a 45-year sentence, which consisted of 25 years in prison and 20 years of probation.

USA TODAY has contacted representatives for Young Thug for comment.

Young Thug required to perform community service, anti-gang appearances

As part of his probation, Young Thug is prevented from visiting the metro Atlanta area for the first 10 years of his probation period, with the exception of special occasions in his immediate family.

The rapper will also keep his passport for domestic and international business trips.

Additionally, he was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service each year of his probation. The rapper is due to return to Atlanta to perform four community performances a year that focus on messages against gangs and gun violence.

Young bully: Rapper’s trial resumes after 2 months with Lil Woody’s testimony

Young Thug’s legal move comes after co-defendants Quamarvious Nichols, Rodalius Ryan and Marquavius ​​Huey pleaded guilty this week, according to rolling stone. Nichols was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while Ryan and Huey were sentenced to 10 and 25 years, respectively.

Co-defendants Deamonte “Yak Gotti” Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell remain on trial, according to Rolling Stone, and both men are charged with the 2015 murder of Donovan Thomas.

The rapper’s trial, the longest in Georgia history, resumed on August 12 after a near two month break and a rotating cast of judges. Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland, Young Thug’s former partner and a key witness for state prosecutors, spent several hours on the witness stand.

Copeland reportedly admitted that he blamed Young Thug in police interviews.

“In my mind, I knew the police would never mess with him,” he said, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It was easy for me to try to shift the blame onto him to take it away from me.”

Young Thug says he has a “good heart” after pleading guilty

Before his sentencing, Young Thug apologized to the court and his loved ones for the time spent on his lengthy trial and said he takes “full responsibility for my crimes.”

“I’m a smart guy. I’m a good guy. I really have a good heart,” Young Thug said. “I find myself in a lot of things because I was just nice or cool. And I understand that you can’t be like that when you reach a certain height because it could end badly.”

The “Oh U Went” emcee also took a moment to thank the judge.

“Over these last two and a half years of my life, you’re really, honestly, the best thing that’s ever happened to me because you made everything fairer for me and everyone involved,” Young Thug told Whitaker.

The judge in the Young Thug case declared a mistrial before the rapper pleaded guilty

A week before Young Thug changed his plea to guilty in his RICO trial, Judge Whitaker considered declaring a mistrial after a witness revealed confidential information to the jury, according to Fox 5 Atlanta and Billboard.

During the Oct. 23 hearing, prosecutors asked rapper Slimelife Shawty, one of the 28 original defendants in the case, to review social media posts to identify other accomplices. Shawty read aloud the caption “FREE QUA,” which revealed details about which defendants had been imprisoned (both Nichols and Huey go by the alias “Qua”).

“Now the jury has heard repeatedly that Mr. Nichols is in jail, in prison, and we cannot cancel that call, so we will ask for a mistrial,” Nicole Westmoreland, one of Nichols’ attorneys, said in that moment. , according to Fox 5.

In response, Judge Whitaker reportedly said a mistrial with prejudice was not on the table, a ruling that would have prevented the state of Georgia from retrying the case. But Whitaker added that a mistrial without prejudice was possible, which would allow for a new trial.

Mariah The Scientist, more react to Young Thug’s release

Singer Mariah the scientist reacted to the news of her boyfriend Young Thug’s release on her Instagram stories, writing, “Thank you God!”

She then reposted a photo of her and the rapper and a story from a friend, who wrote: “Congratulations to @mariahthescientist, I love her so much! She’s the only person who made sure he talked to his kids every day.” days during this whole trial! Forever.” Thankful for you.” The singer responded, “This is what we prayed for.”

Other stars reacted to the news, including travis scott WHO wrote in an Instagram story: “My brother at home” and YOUWHO wrote in X: “Welcome home, little bruddah. It’s been too long… It’s time to get back to it!!!”

Why was Young Thug put on trial?

On May 9, 2022, Young Thug was arrested as part of a broad investigation into a conspiracy to violate the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, also known as RICO. He was accused of co-founding a violent criminal street gang, Young Slime Life, and following two indictments in May and August 2022, he faced extortion, drug and weapons charges.

Jury selection began in January 2023 and the Grammy-winning rapper’s trial began 10 months later. The case has suffered multiple delays since November 2023.

Trial of the young bully: Second judge recused from RICO case within 3 days

Whitaker took over the case after Chief Judge Ural Glanville was eliminated in July and Superior Court Judge Shakura L. Ingram recused herself days later.

Young Thug initially pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence. Several of the initial 28 defendants, including rapper Gunna, have entered plea agreements since they were charged in 2022.

This story has been updated to add new information..

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared in USA TODAY: Young Thug Accepts Plea Deal, Admits Guilty in RICO Trial