US rapper Young Thug is released from prison for a plea deal twist

US rapper Young Thug will be released from prison after pleading guilty to gang, drug and weapons charges – a dramatic turn that could end the longest criminal trial in Georgia history.

The 33-year-old Grammy winner, born Jeffery Lamar Williams, has spent more than 900 days behind bars since his arrest on racketeering and gang-related charges.

In May 2022, prosecutors alleged that the rap label he founded was a front for an organized crime syndicate responsible for “75 to 80% of violent crime” in Atlanta.

He was sentenced Thursday to prison and 15 years of probation.

“I take full responsibility for my crimes, for my allegations,” Mr. Williams told the court.

“I would like to apologize to anyone who had anything to do with this situation.”

In a five-minute speech, he described himself as “a good guy with a good heart” who “found himself in a lot of things because I was just nice or cool.”

“And I understand that you can't be like that when you reach a certain height because it could end badly… and it could fall on you.”

Prosecutors had planned to recommend a prison sentence of 45 years, with 25 in custody and 20 on probation.

But plea negotiations were unsuccessful and Supreme Court Justice Paige Whitaker opted instead, commuting his sentence to the time he had already served, paving the way for his release.

“I want you to try to be more the solution and less the problem,” Judge Whitaker told him.

As part of the agreement, Mr. Williams pleaded guilty to one count of gang violence, three drug offenses and two weapons offenses.

He also entered a no contest plea to charges of leading a gang and violating the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (Rico) Act, meaning he chose not to contest those charges and accept punishment for them.

Judge Whitaker imposed an additional 100 hours of community service, a no-contact order with gang members or former co-defendants, and a ban on remaining in the Atlanta metropolitan area during the first 10 years of his 15-year probation, except in special circumstances – which include weddings, funerals and the anti- Gang and anti-gun presentations he has to host four times a year.

Thursday's change of plea likely ends a multi-defendant case that has been plagued by multiple delays, courtroom unrest and mistrial motions.

When the man known to his fans as “Thugger” was arrested in May 2022, prosecutors charged him and 27 employees of his rap label – Young Stoner Life (YSL) Records – with conspiring to violate the Rico Act used in mafia prosecutions.

They argued that YSL actually stood for a criminal gang called Young Slime Life and linked the men – including fellow rap superstar Gunna – to a range of crimes, including murder, armed robbery and carjacking on the streets of Atlanta.

But the indictment sparked widespread outrage over prosecutors' use of YSL rap lyrics as evidence of the gang's actions and criminal intent. Critics argued the charges violated rappers' free speech and were part of a growing attack on a Black-dominated art form.

Several of Mr. Williams' co-defendants entered into plea deals or had their cases severed, and one of them even had charges dropped after an unrelated murder conviction – and when the trial began, only six defendants remaining.

Jury selection began in January 2023 and lasted almost 10 months.

In July this year The trial was suspended indefinitelyy after Mr Williams' lawyers asked a former judge to recuse himself amid allegations of misconduct.

The lawyers said Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville held an “improper” meeting on June 10 in which he met privately with prosecutors and a key witness.

They claimed Judge Glanville tried to pressure the witness to testify and lawyers urged him to withdraw, requests the judge rejected.

Mr Williams' lead lawyer, Brian Steel, was also found in contempt in June this year after he refused to reveal how he found out about the meeting.

The trial also featured a number of unusual incidents, including the arrest of a Fulton County deputy for allegedly attempting to smuggle contraband to a defendant.

In another case, the court's Zoom account was hacked by an apparent supporter of Mr. Williams who shouted “Freit Thug!”

Earlier this week, three of Mr. Williams' co-defendants entered plea agreements in the case.

The remaining two defendants in the case, Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick, reportedly plan to continue their trials.