On May 9, 2022, Young Thug and 27 of his YSL collective affiliates were arrested in an earth shattering RICO case by the state of Georgia which accused the rappers of crimes such as racketeering, murder, armed robbery, and participation in criminal street gang activity.
But after what has felt like FOREVER, rapper Young Thug has entered a guilty plea in the RICO case against him and his YSL crew.
This comes after three of his co-defendants had agreed to enter a guilty plea over the course of a few days. The artist entered a non-negotiated guilty plea for charges of participating in a criminal street gang, violation of Georgia’s controlled substance act, and multiple charges pertaining to gun crimes. This is a complete 180 from Young Thug’s initial not guilty plea back in 2022.
This plea did not come without a fight. As court processions came to a close, the State was recommending that Young Thug serve 45 years, with 25 years behind bars and 20 years on probation. They further recommended that all of his assets be seized including cars and jewelry. Attempting to back up their unfounded claims with lyrics that are not Young Thugs in an attempt to prove that he is the reason for the ongoing violence in Atlanta.
Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, had no fear. Attempting to poke and prod at the State’s claims by presenting evidence that he didn’t use through the case’s near year long court battle.
Steel revealed later that he did not wish to take a plea deal, but was at the will of his client who wished to do whatever he could to stay out of prison for any longer. Young Thug had grown restless, and wished to get back to his family in a timely manner.
Thug entered a plea of time served, plus three years house arrest on an ankle monitor. Followed by yearly charity concerts and seminars surrounding the issues of gun violence, and gang relations in the metro Atlanta area. Pledging over 100,000 dollars in donations to Fulton County for the purpose of illegal gun buybacks.
On October 31st, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker of Fulton County, Georgia, handed down a sentence to Young Thug following his guilty plea to the aforementioned charges.
Young Thug was sentenced to 40 years, with 5 years to service, but commuted to time served with a 15 year probation period to be served concurrently.
After his 15 year probation period ends, Young Thug will have the last 20 years of his sentence commuted to time served if he is successful in his probation. If Young Thug fails his probation by any infraction, he will be forced to serve his 20 year sentence behind bars with no option for parole.
The conditions of his current probationary period contains multiple stipulations that will make visiting his lifelong home of Atlanta, Georgia impossible. But if he wishes to remain free, and within arms reach of his family, he will be forced to abide by their standards until completion.
Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, will have to follow the following stipulations:
As defined by the census, Young Thug must NOT enter the metro Atlanta area for the first 10 years of his probation except for weddings, funerals, graduations, or serious illness of an immediate family member. He must leave the area within 72 hours of the event occurring and must not return unless it is for a reason mentioned prior.
Each year he MUST host and attend an anti-gang, anti-gun violence presentation at a K-12 school or public organization for children to teach the youth about the dangers of the life he has associated himself with.
He MUST NOT affiliate or knowingly have contact with ANY member of a criminal street gang. Including people mentioned in his indictment EXCEPT for his brother and rapper Gunna due to their contractual obligations to one another.
He may NOT promote or participate in ANY criminal street gang activity or promotion of gangs, including the use of hand motions and signs.
He may NOT contact victims involved in the case or their families under any circumstance.
He may NOT own a gun, but is allowed to be within reach of one permitting it is held by law enforcement or licensed security that is hired.
He may NOT possess or use illicit drugs unless prescribed, be willing to submit random drug tests, and must be willing to have his personal belongings and electronics seized for search.
Due to failures of the prosecution to provide an organized and concise case, Young Thug was able to enter a Nolo plea for a handful of the charges. Allowing him to walk free on October 31st, and reenter society relatively unscathed.
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