American rapper Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, has pleaded guilty to a series of gang, drug, and gun charges in Atlanta, paving the way for his release from jail. The 33-year-old Grammy-winning artist entered his pleas without a deal with prosecutors after negotiations fell through, leaving the final sentence to Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker.
In his plea, Young Thug admitted to one gang charge, three drug charges, and two gun charges. He also entered a no contest plea for another gang charge and a racketeering conspiracy charge, meaning he did not contest those charges but can still be punished as if he had pleaded guilty.
Judge Whitaker sentenced him to 40 years, with the first five years to be served in prison, which has been commuted to time served, followed by 15 years of probation. If Young Thug successfully completes his probation without violations, an additional 20 years will be commuted to time served. However, if he fails to adhere to the probation terms, he may be required to serve those 20 years.
During the first 10 years of his probation, Young Thug is required to stay away from the metro Atlanta area, except for significant family events such as weddings, funerals, and graduations. Additionally, the judge mandated that he return to Atlanta four times a year to conduct live presentations on anti-gang and anti-gun violence at schools or community organizations, which can count toward the 100 hours of community service he is obligated to complete each year during probation.
The rapper is prohibited from associating with gang members or other defendants in the case, except for his brother and fellow rapper Gunna, with whom he has contractual obligations. He is also banned from promoting any gang activity or using signs and language associated with gangs. Additional conditions of his probation include submitting to random drug screenings and refraining from gun possession. Nevertheless, he is permitted to travel both nationally and internationally for work during his probation.
Lead prosecutor Adriane Love had argued for a more severe sentence of 45 years, highlighting evidence, including Young Thug's rap lyrics, to support her case. Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, contested this, claiming the evidence against his client was weak and criticizing the prosecution for allegedly misrepresenting facts. Steel stated that Young Thug felt the pressure of his circumstances and opted for a plea to return home sooner to his children.
In a poignant address to the judge, Young Thug expressed remorse, stating, “I’ve learned from my mistakes… I’m sorry.” Judge Whitaker acknowledged his realization of the impact he has on others and encouraged him to leverage his talent to promote positive behavior among youth. “I want you to try to be more of the solution and less of the problem,” she advised.
Young Thug's plea comes nearly a year after the prosecution commenced presenting evidence in a complex trial, which began jury selection in January 2023. The trial has faced numerous challenges, with three of his co-defendants pleading guilty earlier this week, while the outcomes for two others remain undecided.
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