Rapper Young Thug, also known as Jeffery Williams, pleaded guilty in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday to gang, drug, and gun charges. The 33-year-old Grammy-winning artist entered his pleas without reaching a deal with prosecutors. Lead prosecutor Adriane Love stated that negotiations between the two sides had broken down, leaving the sentencing entirely up to the judge.
Young Thug pleaded guilty to one gang charge, three drug charges, and two gun charges. He also entered a no-contest plea to another gang charge and a racketeering conspiracy charge, meaning he decided not to contest those charges and accepts punishment for them.
The judge heard arguments from both Love and defense attorney Brian Steel before making a sentencing decision.
Young Thug, a highly successful rapper, founded his own record label, Young Stoner Life or YSL. Prosecutors alleged that he was also a co-founder of a violent criminal street gang, with YSL standing for Young Slime Life.
He was indicted two years ago on charges of conspiring to violate Georgia’s anti-racketeering law, as well as gang, drug, and gun crimes.
Young Thug’s plea comes almost a year after the prosecution began presenting evidence in the troubled trial. Jury selection at the Atlanta courthouse started in January 2023, lasting nearly 10 months. The trial of six defendants began with opening statements last November, with prosecutors calling numerous witnesses since then.
Three of Young Thug’s co-defendants pleaded guilty this week after reaching agreements with prosecutors. The fates of two other co-defendants remain undecided.
Nine individuals charged in the indictment accepted plea deals before the trial commenced. Twelve others are facing separate trials. Charges against one defendant were dropped after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case.