Young Thug has moved to close the chapter of his YSL RICO trial sooner rather than later by accepting a plea deal. On Thursday (Oct. 31), his legal representation announced his intent to accept a deal from the prosecution, and within an hour, that’s exactly what happened.
The development comes amid the rapper’s headline-worthy trial, which has also earned the title of the longest trial in Georgia history. He has been behind bars since May 2022, but jury selection didn’t begin until January 2023. Open statements didn’t kick off until later that year, in November.
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What To Know About Young Thug’s Plea Deal
According to WSB-TV, the ‘Ski’ rapper—whose legal name is Jeffrey Williams—accepted a non-negotiated plea deal. He pled guilty on Thursday to six counts of gang-related activity and pled no contest to one count of leading a criminal street gang and one count of conspiracy to violate the RICO act. The state recommends a 45-year sentence with 25 years in custody and 20 on probation. Ultimately, the final sentencing decision is up to the judge.
The New York Times reports that Thugger rejected a previous offer from the prosecution that involved 15 years probation but with special conditions such as requiring Jeffrey to “take ownership and responsibility for being the leader of YSL.” His lawyer, Brian Steel, said the trial was holding Young Thug “hostage,” and that’s why he opted for the plea deal. Additionally, Steel said Atlanta authorities had “tunnel vision” for his client.
“His whole being is trying to break the chains of poverty for others, and it has been spun in this courtroom with false statements and allegations against Mr. Williams at every turn,” Steel added.
Young Thug is now one of several defendants Atlanta investigators bagged on the same charges to accept a plea deal. That list of defendants includes his rap peer, Gunna. In Dec. 2022, Gunna accepted an Alford plea deal, sending shock waves through social media and sparking rumors of “snitching” on his brother.
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However, it’s been a week of accepting and rejecting pleas for the defendants involved in the RICO trial. A defendant named Quamarvious Nichols accepted the deal on Tuesday (Oct. 29), pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the RICO Act, per WSB-TV. Although he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, he will reportedly only serve seven behind bars. The next day, another defendant with the same charge, Rodalius Ryan, also accepted a plea deal.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Yak Gotti’s lawyer said he intends to take his fight against the charges to the jury. Gotti, whose real name is Deamonte Kendrick, hopes to go home with a not-guilty verdict.
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