Thursday, October 31, 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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