Rapper Young Thug, whose legal name is Jeffery Williams, will be released from jail after agreeing to a plea deal in his Georgia racketeering case, which has lasted nearly two years. Williams accepted the deal on Thursday, pleading guilty to multiple charges, including drug, gun, and gang-related offenses, while also entering a no-contest plea to racketeering conspiracy and an additional gang charge. Under the deal, he avoids prison time but will serve 15 years of probation with several strict conditions.
Initially, the state sought a harsher penalty of 45 years, including 25 years in prison. Instead, Williams must now stay out of the Atlanta metro area for the first 10 years of his probation, conduct anti-gang presentations for youth four times a year, and complete 100 hours of community service annually.
Williams’ case involved the longest-running criminal trial in Georgia’s history, with jury selection alone taking nearly 10 months. Prosecutors alleged that Williams, founder of the label Young Stoner Life (YSL), also co-founded the street gang Young Slime Life, which was involved in criminal activities like drug trafficking and robbery. Williams and over two dozen co-defendants faced charges in 2022, with most accepting plea deals before trial or requesting separate trials.
The rapper’s sentencing follows three of his co-defendants, who also entered plea agreements this week. Williams, who has been in jail since May 2022, will now have the opportunity to continue his music career under close supervision and with clear restrictions in place.
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