Young thug released from prison after plea deal, convicted in YSL-RICO trial

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Superstar rapper Young Thug was released from prison Thursday evening, hours after receiving a 40-year prison sentence followed by a five-year commuted sentence in his internationally high-profile YSL criminal trial until he was already behind bars, which led to his release.

With his release, Jeffery Williams (Young Thug's real name) will serve a 15-year probation sentence. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker said if Williams is successful in his probation, the remainder of his sentence will be commuted to time served. Williams is also prohibited from contacting other YSL co-defendants or witnesses in the trial, with the exception of his biological brother Quantavious Grier (aka Unfoonk) and Sergio Giavanni Kitchens (aka Gunna). Williams is also not allowed to be in the Atlanta area for the first ten years of his probation.

“You need to stay away from the Atlanta metropolitan area,” Whitaker said.

Williams may return to Atlanta for larger family events such as weddings, funerals, graduations or medical emergencies, as well as for community service work.

“I will demand that you come to the Atlanta area and give a live presentation four times a year against gang and gun violence,” Whitaker said.

Jeffrey Williams Sr., Young Thug's father, said he opposed that part of the judge's ruling because he is from the area.

Accompanied by attorneys Brian Steele and Keith Adams, Williams agreed to a non-negotiated plea deal, which can occur when a defendant and the prosecution cannot agree on a sentence. Defense attorneys give the judge full authority to decide the sentence. The judge could follow the recommendations of the state or defense attorneys or impose a completely different sentence.

“This is not what I wanted, I don't think it's fair, but I think it's justified under the circumstances and he's as pleased as we are,” said attorney Brian Steel. “For Jeffrey to go home today and not have another 100, 90 days of this, he’s very happy.”

Here are the charges against one of the most decorated performers in American music and how he fought them:

• Violation of the Georgia RICO Act – nolo contendere (no contest);
• organizer of a criminal street gang (leader charge) – nolo contendere (no contest);
• participation in a criminal street gang – guilty;
• possession of a machine gun – guilty;
• possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony – guilty;
• Three violations of Georgia's narcotics law – guilty.

Shortly before 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Williams was sworn in and listened as Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Adriane Love read the charges against him. Love then asked Whitaker to impose a 45-year prison sentence, including 25 years in custody and 20 years on probation.

Williams' attorneys asked for a 45-year sentence with 40 years suspended and credit for time served. They also requested that Williams be placed under house arrest for three years and agreed to wear an ankle monitor for a year. He also pledged $100,000 to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office to host a firearm buyback event; not to be near the Cleveland Avenue area; and complete 100 hours of community service over the next three years.

“I take full responsibility for my crimes,” Williams said. “I’m a smart guy; I'm a good guy. I hope you will allow me to go home and trust that I am doing the right thing.

“I learned from my mistakes.”

Williams' plea deal is the latest development in Georgia's longest criminal trial in history. Earlier this week, Whitaker said publicly for the first time since taking over the trial less than six months ago that she believed there was evidence of an organized crime conspiracy.

Accepting a plea deal from one of Young Thug's co-defendants, Quamarvious Nichols, Whitaker said, “After hearing the evidence up to the point of trial, there is evidence of at least one overt act in furtherance of murder conspiracy and that there is evidence.” “There is no evidence that would fall within the statute of limitations required to prove this RICO conspiracy.”

Since then, Williams and three of the remaining co-defendants have reached plea deals, leaving only Shannon Stillwell (SB) and Deamonte Kendrick (aka Yak Gotti) to stand trial. The trial continues Monday at 8:30 a.m

On Thursday, Douglas Weinstein, Kendrick's attorney, said his client had rejected a plea deal. Weinstein said his client “fully intends to present the matter to the jury, receive our acquittals and go home.”

On Wednesday, Rodalius Ryan (aka “Lil Rod”) pleaded guilty to one count of violating Georgia's RICO law. Ryan, who was previously convicted of the 2019 murder of Jamari Holmes, is already serving a life sentence and was sentenced to an additional 10 years.

Also on Wednesday, Marquavius ​​Huey (aka “Qua”) pleaded guilty to a RICO violation and accepted reduced sentences for robbery (reduced from armed robbery); and weapons possession charges.

On Tuesday, Quamarvious Nichols (aka “Qua”) accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to attempt to violate the RICO Act. In exchange, Fulton County prosecutors dropped remaining charges of murder, participation in a criminal street gang, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Nichols was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with seven suspended.

The plea agreements came after Whitaker dropped out of the trial last week after defense attorneys objected to the testimony of Wunnie Lee (aka Slimelife Shawty), who had previously reached a plea deal in exchange for his testimony. A social media post containing the hashtag was shown in court #freequaa reference to a previous prison sentence for one of the YSL co-defendants now on trial along with Jeffery Williams, Young Thug's real name.

Opening statements were held in Young Thug's trial on November 27, 2023. Jury selection took longer than any other trial in Georgia history, and the actual testimony itself is likely to exceed state records. Both records were set by the Atlanta Public Schools teachers scandal and trial in 2014-15.

Young Thug celebrated his 33rd birthday on August 16, 2024, after being arrested on May 9, 2022 along with 27 other alleged gang members in Buckhead as part of a 56-count indictment.

The trial itself began on November 27, 2023. Defense attorneys have repeatedly raised concerns about the length of the trial, and Fulton County prosecutors still have to call more than 100 witnesses.

Prosecutors are trying to prove that YSL is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous crimes. Defense attorneys say YSL is not a gang, just the name of a record company.

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