Young Thug Pleads Guilty to Criminal Activity Charges, Ending Georgia's Longest Ever Criminal Trial

Mar. 15, 2025

Young Thug in 2021.Photo:Paras Griffin/Getty

Paras Griffin/Getty

Young Thugpleaded guilty and was sentenced to time served and 15 years of probation on Thursday, Oct. 31, ending his nearly year-long racketeering trial in Atlanta — the longest criminal trial in Georgia’s history.

Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced Williams to 40 years but commuted to time served and probation, perCNNand theAssociated Press. He will be released from custody on Thursday and have to serve 15 years on probation. If he violates probation, he could serve 20 years, per the judge’s ruling.

As a part of the deal, Williams pleaded guilty to several charges, including three drug charges, two gun charges and one gang charge. He also pleaded no contest — meaning that he accepted the conviction but did not admit guilt in the crimes — to racketeering conspiracy and participation in a criminal street gang in a leadership role.

Young Thug in 2021.Prince Williams/Wireimage

The “Go Grazy” rapper wasfirst indicted in May 2022, along with 27 others including rapper Gunna, of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO. The group is accused of taking part in an alleged street gang, Young Slime Life, or YSL (named similarly to the chart-topping artist’s labelYoung Stoner Life Records). Members are accused of committing several crimes, including murder, armed robbery, dealing drugs and carjacking.

A second indictment was brought forth in August 2022, bringing six more felony charges against Williams, per theAssociated Press.

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Young Thug in March 2022.Paras Griffin/Getty

Williams has been in custody since 2022, and attorneys have filed multiple motions for a mistrial, including a filing last week. The jury selection process took more than a year, CNN reported.

Williams' case has also been marked with controversy and drama, including past judges being recused from the case and the rapper’s attorney, Brian Steel, beingcharged with contempt of court.

If he was convicted at trial, Williams could have faced a maximum of 120 years in prison,Rolling Stonereports.

Three of Young Thug’s co-defendants — Quamarvious Nichols, 29, Marquavius Huey, 28, and Rodalius Ryan, 18 — also took plea deals this week, CNN reported.

source: people.com