American rapper Young Thug is released from prison after a plea deal

American rapper Young Thug is released from prison after pleading guilty to gang, drug and gun charges, in a dramatic twist that could end the longest criminal trial in Georgia history.

The 33-year-old Grammy winner, born Jeffery Lamar Williams, has spent more than 900 days behind bars since his arrest on racketeering and gang-related charges.

In May 2022, prosecutors alleged that the rap label he founded was a front for an organized crime syndicate responsible for “75 to 80% of violent crimes” in Atlanta.

He was sentenced Thursday to prison and fifteen years’ probation.

“I take full responsibility for my crimes and for my accusations,” Williams told the court.

“I want to say sorry to everyone who had anything to do with this situation.”

In a five-minute speech, he described himself as “a good guy with a good heart” who “got into a lot of things because I was just nice or cool.”

“And I understand that that can’t be the case when you reach a certain height, because it could end badly… and it could fall on you.”

Prosecutors planned to recommend a 45-year sentence, with 25 years in prison and 20 years of probation.

But plea negotiations were unsuccessful and Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker opted for his sentence instead, commuting his sentence to time already served, paving the way for his release.

“I want you to try to be more of the solution and less of the problem,” Judge Whitaker told him.

As part of the deal, Williams pleaded guilty to one gang charge, three drug charges and two weapons charges.

He also entered a no contest plea to leading a gang and violating the state’s Racketeer and Corrupt Organizations (Rico) Act, meaning he decided not to contest those charges and accepts punishment for them.

Judge Whitaker also ordered 100 hours of community service, a ban on contact with gang members or former co-defendants, and a ban on remaining in the Atlanta metropolitan area for the first ten years of his fifteen-year probation, except under special circumstances. including weddings, funerals and the anti-gang and anti-gun presentations he has to organize four times a year.

Thursday’s change of plea likely ends a multi-defendant case that has been plagued by multiple delays, courtroom disturbances and mistrial motions.

When the man known to his fans as “Thugger” was arrested in May 2022, prosecutors accused him and 27 associates of his rap label – Young Stoner Life (YSL) Records – of conspiring to violate the Rico Act, which was famously used in prosecutions of the mafia.

Arguing that YSL actually stands for a criminal gang called Young Slime Life, they tied the men – including fellow rap superstar Gunna – to a series of crimes, including murder, armed robbery and carjacking on the streets of Atlanta.

But the indictment sparked widespread outrage over prosecutors’ use of YSL rap lyrics as evidence of the gang’s actions and criminal intent. Critics argued that the accusations violated the rappers’ freedom of speech and were part of a growing attack on a black-dominated art form.

Several of Mr. Williams’ co-defendants had plea deals or had their cases separated, and one even had charges dropped after an unrelated murder conviction — and by the time the trial began, there were only six suspects left.

Jury selection began in January 2023 and lasted almost ten months.

In July this year, the trial was suspended indefinitelyafter Williams’ lawyers asked a previous judge to apologize over allegations of misconduct.

The attorneys said Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville held an “inappropriate” meeting on June 10 when he met privately with prosecutors and a key witness.

They alleged that Judge Glanville tried to pressure the witness to testify and that the attorneys pressured him to recuse himself, requests that the judge denied.

Williams’ lead attorney, Brian Steel, was also charged with criminal contempt in June this year after refusing to reveal how he became aware of the meeting.

A number of unusual incidents also occurred during the trial, including the arrest of a Fulton County sheriff’s deputy for allegedly trying to smuggle contraband to a defendant.

In another case, the court’s Zoom account was hacked by an apparent supporter of Mr. Williams, who shouted “free scoundrel!” shouted.

Earlier this week, three of Williams’ co-defendants in the case entered plea deals.

The remaining two defendants in the case, Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick, reportedly plan to move forward with their trials.