Atlanta’s own Grammy-winning rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffrey Williams, has been granted time served in his YSL RICO case and sentenced to 15 years of probation by Judge Paige Reese Whitaker as part of a blind plea.
Young Thug faced serious allegations, including racketeering conspiracy and leading a street gang, but took a no contest plea on those counts. He also acknowledged his involvement in three drug-related offenses and two gun charges. Despite the objections from Fulton County Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love, Judge Whitaker granted the no contest plea.
Young Thug faced 120 years in prison if convicted at trial
Had he chosen to fight it out in court and lost, Williams could have been looking at 120 years behind bars for eight counts. Instead, a plea deal was on the table, offering him a chance to walk away with 15 years of probation, though a slip-up in violating that probation could land him up to 23 years in prison.
However, negotiations with the state hit a hard place, leading to the decision for a Blind Plea, where the judge granted the rapper with release. The courtroom drama unfolded late Thursday afternoon.
As the Thursday’s proceedings continued, Young Thug sat quietly alongside his powerhouse legal team, Brian Steel and Keith Adams, his demeanor reflecting the weight of the moment that will ultimately decide his future. The judge, sensing the tension, even paused to check if they needed a moment to talk privately before proceeding.
Three YSL defendants on trial pleads out of case
Williams’ plea comes after three other defendants plead guilty in the case earlier in the week. These unexpected turns comes amidst the shadow of a potential mistrial, triggered by a slip-up with evidence last week. Notably, none of these agreements demanded any written cooperation or commitments to testify against fellow defendants. One deal, which the judge deemed “remarkable,” allowed former defendant Marquavius Huey to walk away with just nine years behind bars, instead of the three life sentences he was facing if he would have lost at Trial.
Prosecutors says Young Thug was the Kingpin of YSL
Young Thug couldn’t handle another 3 months of RICO case
In a compelling defense, Young Thug’s attorney, Steel, expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision made by his client. However, he did not oppose it, as Thug conveyed to him that he could not endure another three months of his children’s suffering—if there was a possibility that he could return home today (Oct. 31).
Steel told the court that he told the rapper that they were winning the trial but was supportive of his client’s decision.
Jeffrey Williams aka Young Thug sentenced to probation in 2-year-old YSL Rico case
The state recommended a hefty sentence of 45 years, with 25 of those years spent behind bars and the remaining 21 on probation, all under the watchful eye of the special gang statute. Initially, the state had a more lenient offer on the table, allowing Williams to walk free today with just 15 years of probation.
However, he turned down the deal, unable to accept the additional stipulations. On the flip side, the defense proposed a similar 45-year sentence, but with a twist: five years would be swapped for time already served, granting him 40 years of probation credit. After three years, the probation would become non-reportable, and after a decade, it would be completely wiped away.
The defense team also suggested a range of conditions, including house arrest, community service, travel limitations, and other restrictions.
When it was his turn to speak, Williams addressed the court with a heavy heart, echoing his attorney’s recommendations.
“I promise you I won’t be in this situation again,” he told the judge. “I’m sorry—you are truly the best thing that’s happened to me because you’ve made everything fair for everybody involved on both sides.”
