Popular Atlanta rapper Young Thug walked out of a Fulton County courtroom in Atlanta a free man on Thursday (Oct. 31), marking the end to the longest (and arguably messiest) criminal trial the state had ever seen. But how it happened will surprise you.
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As previously reported by The Root, the “Lifestyle” rapper (born Jeffrey Williams) was federally indicted in May 2022 on charges of violating Georgia’s anti-racketeering law and being the the leader of Young Slime Life (YSL), an Atlanta-based street gang which allegedly included others such as fellow rapper Gunna.
He was also facing additional charges of participation in criminal street gang activity, violation of the Georgia controlled substances act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a machine gun and drug charges. If convicted, Thugger faced a maximum sentence of 120 years in prison.
But on Thursday, Williams finally entered a plea deal and the Georgia judge sentenced him to 40 years in prison with commuted time served and 15 years of probation with special conditions, according the the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Here’s what this means:
Williams pleaded guilty to charges of: possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a machine gun, three counts of violating Georgia’s controlled substances act, and a gang count. As far as the RICO and participating in criminal street gang activity charges , he pleaded no contest.
As a part of his probation special conditions, Williams isn’t allowed back in Atlanta for ten years. His only exceptions are weddings, funerals, and mandatory anti-gang presentations and concerts. He’s also banned from having any contact with any alleged members of any criminal gangs except for his brother Quantavious Grier and Gunna (legally Sergio Kitchens), both of whom accepted plea deals earlier in the trial. Grier was sentenced to nine years in prison.
If Williams violates his probation, he will be sent to prison for 20 years. As the news of the “Best Friend” rapper’s release began to circulate on social media, fellow music artists expressed their excitement and congratulations.
“Welcome home,” Nicki Minaj wrote in an Instagram story post, “Don’t leave again, the ppl need you. The game missed you. So happy for you, your children, family & fans. Happy Halloween #ThugFree.”
On X/Twitter, fellow Atlanta rapper T.I. expressed similar sentiments, writing: “Welcome Home lil bruddah It’s been too long... Time to get back to it!!!”
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