Young mobster released from prison after agreeing to plea deal in Georgia RICO case

After a historic, drawn-out trial, Young Thug was officially released from prison after pleading guilty to his long-running RICO case.

Appearing in court today, the rapper, whose real name is Jeffrey Lamar Williams, pleaded not guilty to RICO and gang leader charges and pleaded guilty to remaining charges, including two weapons charges and three drug charges. The judge sentenced him to time served on several counts, as well as 15 years of probation, which, if successfully completed, would result in a reduced sentence.

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Before the sentencing, Thug spoke for the first time in the case after spending the last two years in prison. “I’m a smart guy, I’m a good guy, and I have a really good heart,” he told the judge. “I found myself in a lot of things because I was just nice and cool, and I understand that you can’t be like that when you reach a certain height because it can end badly.”

During a dramatic court hearing earlier today, Thug changed his plea after Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker asked if he agreed to a non-negotiated plea, meaning prosecutors and the defense were unable to agree on a sentence and authority determine the punishment were transferred. judge.

Georgia prosecutors had previously proposed a motion, which Tag rejected. That deal would have allowed him to be released today on 15 years of probation, which, if completed, would have allowed him to avoid prison time but could have potentially sent him to prison for 23 years if he violated his probation.

Thug was originally jailed in Georgia in May 2022 as part of a street gang bust. He was one of 28 people named in a 56-count indictment that included violating the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and participating in criminal street gang activity. The case centered on YSL (Young Slug Life), which prosecutors said was a street gang that formed in 2012 in Atlanta. Thug was accused of being one of the three founders of YSL and was charged with two counts of conspiracy to violate RICO and participating in street gang activities.

Earlier this week, three of Thug’s co-defendants – Rodalius Ryan (aka Lil Rod), Quamarvious Nichols (aka Qua) and Marcavius ​​Huey (aka Qua) – agreed to a plea deal in the case. Ryan, who was already serving a life sentence for a murder conviction when he was 15 years old, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act. His 10-year sentence will be commuted to time he has already served. Nichols was acquitted of several charges and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, seven of which were to be served on probation. Huey, who was charged with 19 charges, some of which were reduced or dropped. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison, of which he will serve only nine years in prison.

In addition to Tag, two other defendants remain on trial in this case. Deamonte Kendrick (aka Jak Gotti) and Shannon Stillwell (aka Shannon Jackson or SB) have a variety of charges including conspiracy to violate RICO, count of murder, participation in street gang activities and more. Gotti recently rejected a plea deal and opted instead to go to a jury trial.

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