US rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, has been released from jail after pleading guilty to several gang, drug, and gun-related charges.
The 33-year-old artiste, who has won a Grammy, spent over 900 days in jail since his arrest in May 2022 on serious criminal charges related to gang activities.
Prosecutors initially claimed that Young Thug’s music label, Young Stoner Life (YSL), was a cover for a gang involved in violent crimes across Atlanta.
Authorities alleged that the group was responsible for 75% to 80% of the violent crime in the city.
After entering his guilty plea, Young Thug was sentenced to time served, along with 15 years of probation.
The court also set strict conditions for his release, including:
– 100 hours of community service
– No contact with gang members or former co-defendants
– A 10-year restriction from the Atlanta area, with exceptions for certain events and anti-gang presentations he is required to host four times a year.
Young Thug, known to fans as “Thugger,” gave a brief speech in court, taking responsibility for his actions. He apologized to everyone affected by the case, saying, “I take full responsibility for my crimes, for my charges.”
He also explained that he had been a “good guy” who ended up in trouble due to his friendly nature.
Originally, prosecutors were planning to ask for a 45-year sentence, including 25 years in jail. However, the judge decided to release him after time served, allowing Young Thug to go free later that evening.
The case brought major attention to the issue of using rap lyrics as evidence in court. Prosecutors argued that some of YSL’s lyrics showed evidence of criminal intent, sparking criticism that this tactic violated free speech and targeted rap music unfairly.
Since his arrest, some co-defendants in the YSL case accepted plea deals, while others had charges dropped.
Young Thug’s release marks the end of one of the longest criminal trials in Georgia history, a trial that faced repeated delays, courtroom disruptions, and even a hacked Zoom call where a supporter shouted “Free Thug!”
