A 33-year-old American rapper, Young Thug, real name Jeffery Lamar Williams, was released from jail on Thursday evening after pleading guilty to charges of gang involvement, drug possession, and firearms violations.
The Grammy-winning artist, who had been held in custody for over 900 days, was sentenced to time served and an additional 15 years of probation at the end of the most extended criminal trial in Georgia’s history.
“I take full responsibility for my crimes, for my charges,” Williams told the court.
“To really everybody that has got something to do with this situation, I want to say sorry.”
In a heartfelt five-minute address, he described himself as “a good guy with a good heart” who found himself in legal trouble “because I was just nice or cool.”
Reflecting on his actions, he added, “And I understand that you can’t be that way when you reach a certain height because it could end bad… and it could fall on you.”
Initially, prosecutors intended to seek a 45-year sentence for Williams, which would have included 25 years in custody and 20 years on probation.
However, Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker decided to commute his sentence to time served, allowing for his immediate release.
“I want you to try to be more of the solution and less of the problem,” Judge Whitaker told the rapper.
As part of the plea deal, Williams pleaded guilty to one gang charge, three drug charges, and two firearms charges.
He also entered a no-contest plea on charges of leading a gang and violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, accepting punishment without disputing those charges.
Judge Whitaker also imposed additional terms, including 100 hours of community service, a ban on associating with gang members or co-defendants, and restrictions on staying in metropolitan Atlanta during his first 10 years of probation.
Exceptions to the Atlanta restriction include weddings, funerals, and required anti-gang and anti-gun presentations that he must host four times per year.
Williams’s trial, which began with jury selection in January 2023, faced multiple delays, controversies, and unexpected events. In July, the trial was indefinitely halted after Williams’s lawyers filed a motion for Judge Ural Glanville to recuse himself over alleged misconduct.
Williams’s lead attorney, Brian Steel, faced criminal contempt charges for refusing to disclose how he had learned about a private meeting between the judge, prosecutors, and a witness.
The rapper’s arrest in May 2022, along with 27 associates at his label, Young Stoner Life Records, was part of a sweeping indictment.
Prosecutors alleged that YSL referred to as Young Slime Life, operated as a gang involved in violent crimes, including murder, armed robbery, and carjacking in Atlanta. Fellow rapper Gunna was also implicated in the case.
Critics condemned the prosecution’s reliance on rap lyrics as evidence of criminal intent, arguing it violated free speech and unfairly targeted a Black art form.
The protracted trial saw unusual incidents, including the arrest of a Fulton County deputy for allegedly attempting to smuggle contraband to a defendant and the hacking of the court’s Zoom account by a supporter who shouted “Free Thug!”
As of this week, three of Williams’s co-defendants accepted plea deals, while the remaining two, Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick, are expected to proceed with their trials.
