Atlanta — Young Thug, the Atlanta rapper whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, has been released after pleading guilty to various gang, drug, and gun charges. This comes more than two years after his arrest as part of a large gang and racketeering case, which faced delays and complications throughout its process.

Jury selection for the trial at Fulton County Courthouse began in January 2023, spanning nearly 10 months. Since last November, prosecutors presented dozens of witnesses as they tried six defendants.

About Young Thug
Young Thug is a prominent Atlanta-based artist known for his distinctive style and unique vocal delivery. Rising to fame with hits like “Stoner” and “Best Friend,” he co-wrote the Grammy-winning “This is America” with Childish Gambino. He’s collaborated with stars such as Drake, Chris Brown, T.I., and Travis Scott, and even earned Elton John’s admiration after recording “Always Love You” alongside Nicki Minaj and Gunna. Known for challenging hip-hop’s norms, he famously wore a dress on the cover of his 2016 mixtape Jeffery and challenged conventional ideas about gender in a Calvin Klein campaign. Raised in a crime-ridden housing project in suburban Atlanta, Young Thug, now 33, is a figure who’s broken barriers in the music world.

The Charges
Initially indicted and arrested in May 2022, Young Thug faced expanded charges in August, accusing him and 27 others of violating Georgia’s RICO Act. Prosecutors claimed Young Thug helped found a gang called Young Slime Life (YSL), allegedly tied to the Bloods gang, and furthered its influence by referencing it in songs and on social media. They labeled him as the gang’s leader, “King Slime,” directing criminal activities within the organization.

The Plea Agreement
Negotiations between Young Thug’s lawyers and prosecutors to settle his role in the trial ultimately stalled. Prosecutors sought stringent conditions in any potential plea agreement, which attorney Brian Steel described as “outrageous,” saying the conditions were unacceptably restrictive. Opting instead for a non-negotiated or “blind” plea, Young Thug pleaded guilty to several charges, including one gang-related charge, three drug charges, and two gun charges, and submitted a no-contest plea to another gang and a racketeering charge.

Will He Serve Prison Time?
Not if he follows the terms of his sentence. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker imposed a 40-year sentence with the first five years originally set for prison, commuted to time served. The next 15 years are on probation, while a conditional 20 years in prison would be waived if he meets probation requirements. If he fails, however, he will serve those 20 years. Prosecutors had pushed for a 45-year sentence with 25 years in prison, while Steel requested five years in prison, also commuted to time served, with 40 years of probation.

Young Thug’s Statement
Apologizing to his family, managers, courtroom staff, and others affected by his case, Young Thug told the judge he had learned from his mistakes and hoped to go home. He promised not to find himself in a similar situation again and expressed regret for not fully utilizing his success, acknowledging his influence and community contributions through significant charitable efforts.