American rapper Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, has been released from custody after being sentenced to time served in a protracted legal battle.
His release, which occurred late Thursday night, comes after he spent over 900 days in jail, part of a sweeping case that involved numerous defendants.
Williams accepted a non-negotiated plea deal that entails 15 years of probation as he faced multiple charges related to firearm possession and criminal gang activity.
He pleaded guilty to six charges, including one count of participating in criminal street gang activity, three counts of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, one count of firearm possession during the commission of a felony, and one count involving a machine gun.
Additionally, he entered no contest pleas to charges of racketeering and leading a criminal street gang, allowing the court to treat those charges as guilty pleas without contesting them.
This case has been particularly noteworthy, being the longest in Georgia’s history, initially bringing together over two dozen defendants under the state’s expansive Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
Prosecutors accused Williams of leading a gang that had committed serious crimes, including murder, in Atlanta over the past decade.
They alleged that the label YSL—short for Young Stoner Life Records, which he founded—also refers to Young Slime Life, a criminal street gang connected to the national Bloods gang.
The trial, which began in May 2022, has drawn scrutiny, especially regarding the use of rap lyrics as evidence of the gang’s actions.
Critics have condemned this practice as a potential violation of freedom of speech and artistic expression. Young Thug has consistently denied being the head of a criminal enterprise.
When given the opportunity to address the court, Williams expressed remorse, taking full responsibility for his actions.
He apologized to his family and requested to be allowed to return home. “I am a smart guy. I am a good guy. I really got a good heart,” he said.
He acknowledged that his kindness had led him into difficult situations, especially as he rose in fame, recognizing the need to change his behaviour.
“I’ve learned from my mistakes,” he added, referring to his philanthropic efforts, including free concerts and donations to single parents and charitable causes.
In response, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker advised him, “I want you to try to be more of the solution and less of the problem.”
The judge stipulated that Williams must remain outside the metropolitan Atlanta area for the first ten years of his probation, with exceptions only for weddings, funerals, and graduations—where he must depart within 48 hours of the event’s conclusion.
Williams is required to return to Atlanta four times a year to host anti-gang and anti-gun presentations and must complete 100 hours of community service for each year of his probation.
Furthermore, he is prohibited from knowingly associating with members of any criminal street gang.
Had he been convicted on all counts, Williams could have faced up to 120 years in prison.
The trial has been marked by delays, including numerous mistrial motions, and the jury selection process alone took over a year to complete.
In recent developments, three of Williams’ co-defendants accepted plea deals this week.
Rodalius Ryan, known as “Lil Rod,” and Marquavious Huey, nicknamed “Qua,” both entered guilty pleas to charges under the state’s RICO Act.
Ryan received a 10-year sentence, reduced to time served, while Huey was sentenced to 25 years, with nine years to be served in custody.
Quamarvious Nichols, also known as “Qua,” accepted a 20-year negotiated sentence, with seven years to be served in custody.
Importantly, none of these individuals will be required to testify against Young Thug or other remaining defendants in the case.
