Rapper Young Thug pleads guilty to gang, drug and gun charges

ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) – Rap star Young Thug has accepted a plea deal in his internationally watched criminal trial.

Jeffery Williams (Young Thug’s real name) was released from jail on Thursday evening as part of his plea deal, although he could be put back behind bars if he violates the terms of his sentence.

Upon his release, Williams will serve 15 years of probation.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker said if Williams is successful on probation, the remainder of his sentence will be commuted to time served.

Williams is also prohibited from having contact with any of YSL’s other co-defendants or witnesses in the trial, other than his biological brother. Quantitative Grier (aka Unfoonk) and Sergio Giavanni Kitchens (aka Gunna).

Accompanied by attorneys Brian Steele and Keith Adams, Williams agreed to a non-negotiated plea, which can result when a suspect and prosecutors cannot agree on a sentence.

Defense attorneys give the judge full control over the sentence. The judge could follow the state’s or attorneys’ recommendations or impose a completely different sentence.

Earlier Thursday, Williams was sworn in and listened as Fulton County Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love read the charges against him. Williams was accompanied by his attorneys, Brian Steele and Keith Adams.

Williams pleaded guilty to the remaining charges against him, including violations of Georgia’s drug and firearm charges.

Here are the charges against Williams and how he pleaded:

Violation of the Georgia RICO Act – nolo candidatee (no contest);
Organizer of a criminal street gang activity (lead charge) – nolo candidatee (no contest);
Participation in a criminal street gang activity – guilty;
Possession of a machine gun – guilty;
Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime – guilty;
Three violations of Georgia’s Controlled Substances Act: guilty.

Love asked Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker to impose a 45-year prison sentence, with 25 years in custody and 20 years on probation.

Williams’ attorneys asked for a 45-year prison sentence on the charges, with 40 years probation, and credit for time served. They also requested that Williams be placed under house arrest for three years and agreed to wear an ankle monitor for a year.

The lawyers also promised that $100,000 would go to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office to host a firearm buyback event. Williams is banned from being near Cleveland Avenue and must complete 100 hours of community service over the next three years.

“I take full responsibility for my crimes,” Williams said. “I’m a smart guy; I’m a good guy. I hope you will allow me to go home and trust that I am doing the right thing.

Williams added: “I’ve learned from my mistakes.”

Williams’ plea deal was the latest development in what has become the longest criminal trial in Georgia history.

Earlier this week, for the first time since she took over the trial less than six months ago, Whitaker said publicly that she believed there is evidence of an organized crime-like conspiracy.

In accepting a plea deal from one of Williams’ co-defendant, Quamarvious Nichols, Whitaker said: “I find that, having heard the evidence up to the point of trial, I have evidence of at least one overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy and that there is evidence within the framework of the process would fall. the required statute of limitations to establish this RICO conspiracy.”

Since then, Williams and three of the remaining co-defendants have reached plea deals, leaving only Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick (aka Jack Gotti) is still on trial.

On Thursday, Kendrick’s attorney, Douglas Weinstein, said his client has rejected a plea deal. Weinstein said his client “fully intends to put this to the jury, get our not guilty verdicts and go home.”

Opening statements were made at Williams’ trial on November 27, 2023.

The process jury selection took longer than any other in Georgia history, and the actual testimony itself will likely surpass state records. Both records were set by the Atlanta Public Schools teacher scandal and lawsuit in 2014-2015.

Williams marked his 33rd birthday on August 16th after he was arrested on May 9, 2022, along with 27 other suspected gang members in Buckhead as part of a 56-count indictment.

The trial itself started on November 27, 2023.

Defense attorneys have repeatedly raised concerns about the trial Fulton County prosecutors still need to call more than 100 witnesses.

Prosecutors are trying to prove that Young Slime Life, or YSL, is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous crimes. Defense attorneys say YSL is not a gang, but simply the name of a record label.

Williams was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of codeine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun.