Rapper Young Thug freed after guilty plea in YSL trial

American rapper Young Thug has pleaded guilty to charges of gang, drug, and gun offenses in Atlanta and will be released from jail.

The 33-year-old Grammy-award-winning artist, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, made his pleas without reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors after negotiations fell through, according to lead prosecutor Adriane Love. This left the sentencing entirely in the hands of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker.

Young Thug has admitted to one gang-related charge, three drug offenses, and two gun charges.

He also entered a no contest plea to another gang charge and a racketeering conspiracy charge, meaning that he decided not to contest those charges but can be punished for them as if he had pleaded guilty.

The judge imposed a sentence of 40 years with the first five to be served in prison but commuted to time served, followed by 15 years on probation.

Successfully completing his probation without any violations could result in an additional 20 years of his sentence being commuted to time served. However, any violations could lead to the full 20 years being served.

Young Thug is required to stay away from the metro Atlanta area for the initial 10 years of his probation, with exceptions for attending weddings, funerals, graduations, or the serious illness of family members.

Additionally, the judge has mandated that Young Thug return to the Atlanta area four times a year during his probation to deliver live presentations on anti-gang and anti-gun violence efforts at schools or community organizations that serve children.

She mentioned that these activities could fulfill the 100 hours of community service he was required to complete annually as part of his probation.

Furthermore, he is prohibited from associating with gang members, victims, or other defendants in the case, except for his brother and rapper Gunna, due to contractual obligations. He is also not permitted to promote any criminal street gang or gang-related activities, nor can he use any hand signs or terminology that endorses street gang culture.

Additional stipulations include undergoing random drug screenings and refraining from possessing firearms. However, he is permitted to travel both domestically and internationally for work purposes, even while on probation.

Love detailed the evidence she planned to present to the judge to establish Young Thug’s guilt, including excerpts from his rap lyrics. She requested a sentence of 45 years, with 25 years served in prison and the remaining 20 years on probation.

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

Steel said the evidence against his client is weak and accused prosecutors of misrepresenting and hiding evidence, saying Young Thug was “falsely accused.” Steel said he told his client that he thought they were winning the trial and should go through to a jury verdict.

“But he told me, ‘I can’t wait another three months if there is any possibility I could go home because I have children that are hurting. I have things to do,’” Steel said.

Steel asked the judge to impose a sentence of 45 years with five in prison commuted to time served and 40 years on probation.
Young Thug asked the judge to let him go home, saying he wouldn’t be in a similar situation again.

“I’ve learned from my mistakes, you know. I come from nothing and I’ve made something and I didn’t take full advantage of it. I’m sorry,” he said.
The judge said she appreciated that he realized the impact that he has on people worldwide. She said rap music may involve a lot of posturing but that children emulate some of the dangerous behavior mentioned in songs. She encouraged Young Thug to use his talent and influence to encourage kids to do the right thing.

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

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

Young Thug’s plea comes nearly a year after the prosecution began presenting evidence in the problem-plagued trial. Jury selection at the courthouse in Atlanta began in January 2023 and took nearly 10 months. The trial of six defendants began with opening statements last November, and prosecutors since then have called dozens of witnesses.

Three of his co-defendants have already pleaded guilty this week, having struck deals with the prosecutors. This leaves the futures of two other co-defendants undecided.

Young Thug’s plea was submitted nearly a year after the prosecution started presenting evidence in the trial, which has been marred by numerous problems. Jury selection at the courthouse in Atlanta commenced in January 2023 and lasted almost 10 months. The trial of six defendants kicked off with opening statements last November, and since then, prosecutors have called dozens of witnesses.