Young Thug, real name Jeffery Williams, has officially been released from jail after taking a plea deal in what has become Georgia's longest criminal trial in history.
CNN reports that the 33-year-old rapper, who was in custody for over 900 days, plead guilty to a total of six charges, namely one count of participation in criminal street gang activity, three counts of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, one count of firearm possession during commission of a felony and one count of possession of a machine gun, and pleaded no contest to racketeering and leading a criminal street gang. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced Thugger to a total of 40 years, with the first five years in prison but commuted to time served and 15 years in probation. He must not step foot in metropolitan Atlanta for the first 10 years of his probation with the exception of events such as weddings, funerals and graduation, and he must then leave within 48 hours after the end of those events.
In addition, Williams is required to host anti-gang and anti-gun presentations four times a year during each year of his probation, perform 100 hours of community service during each year of his probation and must not have any contact with anyone from or involved in a criminal street gang.
Thugger addressed the court room prior to his release, apologizing to his family and taking full responsibility for the charges. “I am a smart guy. I am a good guy. I really got a good heart,” he told Judge Whitaker. “I find myself in a lot of stuff because, because I was just nice or cool, you know, and I understand that you can’t be that way when you reach a certain height because it could end [badly].”
“I’ve learned from my mistakes,” he added, also telling the judge that he understands how rap lyrics can have an effect on the listening public, “I promise you, I’m 100% changing that.”
He was indicted in 2022 on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges, with prosecutors accusing him of leading Young Slime Life (YSL) as a criminal gang rather than his music label. The case was plagued with criticisms over the use of rap lyrics as evidence, the recusal of the original judge and the court's slow-moving process.
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