American rapper Young Thug released after pleading guilty to criminal case

Rapper Young Thug was released from jail on Thursday after pleading guilty to charges related to gang involvement, drugs, and firearms. This marked a surprising turn in the longest trial in Georgia’s history. The 33-year-old artist, born Jeffery Lamar Williams, was among 28 alleged gang members indicted in May 2022 on racketeering charges.

Prosecutors claimed Young Thug was the leader of YSL, or Young Slime Life, which is associated with the Bloods gang. He faced accusations under state racketeering laws, with charges including murder, assault, carjacking, drug dealing, and theft.

Young Thug entered a no contest plea to racketeering and acknowledged being a leader of a criminal gang. He also pleaded guilty to six other charges related to firearms and drugs. According to The New York Times, he was sentenced to time served and 15 years of probation by Judge Paige Reese Whitaker.

Online jail records confirmed his release under his birth name, with the charges listed as “time served” or “probation.” Jury selection began in January 2023, but the trial didn’t start until November. Prosecutors argued that YSL was a crime organization, stating, “The evidence will show that YSL checks all of the boxes for being a criminal street gang.” The defense claimed YSL is simply Young Thug’s music label, not a gang. American rapper Young Thug released after pleading guilty to criminal case