Friday, November 1, 2024 - American rapper, Young Thug has pleaded guilty in Atlanta to gang, drug and gun charges and will be released from jail,
The 33-year-old Grammy-winning artist, whose given name is Jeffery
Williams, entered his pleas without reaching a deal with prosecutors after
negotiations between the two sides broke down, lead prosecutor Adriane Love
said. That left the sentence completely up to Fulton County Superior Court
Judge Paige Reese Whitaker.
Young Thug pleaded guilty to one gang charge, three drug charges, 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.
If he successfully completes that probation without any violations,
another 20 years will be commuted to time served. But if he violates the
conditions, he will have to serve those 20 years.
Young Thug must stay away from the metro Atlanta area for the first 10
years of his probation, except for weddings, funerals, graduations or serious
illness of family members, the judge said.
But she also ordered him to return to the Atlanta area four times a year
during his probation to make a live anti-gang, anti-gun violence presentation
at a school or a community organization serving children.
She said that could count toward the 100 hours of community service she
ordered him to perform each year during probation.
He's also not allowed to associate with gang members or with the victims
or other defendants in the case, with the exception of his brother and the
rapper Gunna, with whom he has contractual obligations. He also cannot promote
any criminal street gang or gang activity and can't use hand signs or
terminology that promotes a street gang.
Additional conditions include submitting to random drug screens and not
possessing a gun. But he is allowed to travel both nationally and
internationally for work, even while on probation.
Love had outlined for the judge the evidence she would have presented to
prove Young Thug’s guilt, including some of his rap lyrics. She asked the judge
to sentence him to 45 years, with 25 years 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 had already pleaded guilty this
week after reaching deals with prosecutors. The pleas leave the fates of two
other co-defendants still undecided.
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.
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