ATLANTA (AP) — Rapper Young Thug pleaded guilty to gang, drug, and gun charges in Atlanta on Thursday and is set to be released from jail. However, he faces the possibility of returning to custody if he fails to adhere to the terms of his sentence.
The 33-year-old Grammy-winning artist, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, entered his pleas without a plea deal after discussions with prosecutors fell through, according to lead prosecutor Adriane Love. As a result, the sentence was entirely at the discretion of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker.
Young Thug’s plea comes two and a half years after his arrest and charges were filed, and nearly a year after the prosecution began presenting evidence in a trial that has faced numerous challenges. Jury selection at the Atlanta courthouse began in January 2023 and took almost 10 months to complete. Prosecutors have called multiple witnesses since the trial began with opening statements last November involving six defendants.
The trial has experienced several delays, including one in July when the original judge was removed after two defendants requested his recusal, citing a meeting he held with prosecutors and a state witness.
In his plea, Young Thug admitted guilt to one gang charge, three drug charges, and two gun charges. He also entered a no contest plea for another gang charge and a racketeering conspiracy charge, meaning he opted not to contest these charges but can still face penalties as if he had pleaded guilty.
The judge imposed a sentence of 40 years, with the first five years to be served in prison, commuted to time served, followed by 15 years of probation. If he successfully completes his probation without any violations, an additional 20 years will also be commuted to time served. However, if he violates the probation conditions, he will have to serve those 20 years along with any penalties for the violation.
During the first 10 years of his probation, Young Thug is required to stay away from the metro Atlanta area, except for specific occasions such as weddings, funerals, graduations, or serious family illnesses, as mandated by the judge.
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