Rapper Young Thug pleads guilty after two-year legal battle

Atlanta rapper Young Thug has pleaded guilty to street gang activity, drug and gun charges, according to US media reports, in a surprise twist that could end the musician’s long-running trial.

The 33-year-old rapper named Jeffrey Lamar Williams was arrested on racketeering and gang-related charges in May 2022 and has been in jail since then.

Prosecutors allege that Young Stoner Life (YSL) Records, the rap label founded by Mr. Williams, is a front for an organized crime syndicate and that YSL stands for Young Slime Life.

The Grammy-winning artist has sold over 2.5 million albums and has been honored as “”The most influential rapper of the 21st century,

The case is believed to be the longest-running criminal trial in the history of the state of Georgia.

Prosecutors had originally sought up to 120 years in prison for Mr. Williams before a deal was reportedly reached, which still needs approval from a judge.

As part of the deal, the singer pleaded guilty to one gang charge, three drug charges and two gun charges.

He also entered no contest pleas to leading a criminal street gang and conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, meaning he decided not to contest those charges. And accepted punishment for them.

Superior Court Judge Paige Whittaker will now decide his sentence.

Prosecutors plan to recommend a 45-year sentence, with 25 in custody and 20 on probation.

Mr. Williams’ three co-defendants in the case entered pleas earlier this week.

In 2022, Georgia prosecutors used the RICO Act against Mr. Williams and 27 associates believed to be involved in YSL – famously known in Mafia trials.

Prosecutors said the gang committed approximately 200 separate “overt” criminal acts as part of a criminal conspiracy. He also alleged that gang feuds between YSL and other groups led to more than 50 incidents of violence on the streets of Atlanta since 2015.

While jury selection in the trial began in January 2023, opening statements did not begin until November that year.

By then, only six co-defendants remained, including Mr. Williams.

In July this year, The case was put on hold indefinitelyThat’s after Mr Williams’ lawyers asked the previous judge to recuse himself from allegations of misconduct.

The lawyers said Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville held an “inappropriate” meeting on June 10, meeting privately with prosecutors and a key witness.

He claimed that Judge Glanville tried to pressure the witness to testify and that lawyers pressured him to recuse himself from testifying, which the judge rejected.

Mr Williams’ lead lawyer, Brian Steele, was also found guilty of criminal contempt in June this year after refusing to explain how he found out about the meeting.

The trial also saw several unusual events, including the arrest of a Fulton County deputy for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs for one of the defendants.

In another example, someone hacked the court’s Zoom account and posted a message “Free Thugs!” Yelled.

The two remaining defendants in the case, Shannon Stillwell and DeMonte Kendrick, are reportedly planning to proceed with the lawsuit.