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YSL Records racketeering trial

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YSL Records racketeering trial
CourtSuperior Court of Fulton County
Full case name State of Georgia vs. Jeffery Williams et al.
StartedNovember 27, 2023
ChargeConspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
Court membership
Judges sitting
  • Ural D. Glanville (recused)
  • Shukura L. Ingram (recused)
  • Paige Reese Whitaker

The YSL Records racketeering trial is an ongoing criminal case in Fulton County, Georgia, which involves American rapper Young Thug (born Jeffery Williams) and several associates from his record label, YSL Records (Young Stoner Life Records).[1][2] The trial began on November 27, 2023, following a May 2022 indictment that charged 28 individuals associated with YSL under Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.[3] Prosecutors alleged that YSL functions as a criminal street gang while simultaneously operating as a hip hop music record label.[4] Fulton County Chief Judge Ural D. Glanville presided over the case until he was recused after complaints were registered about a secret meeting he held with prosecutors and a key witness. Glanville was replaced with Judge Paige Reese Whitaker.[5]

While numerous affiliates were removed from the case through actions such as taking probation and plea deals,[6] Thug and five other individuals remain as defendants in the trial and have been denied bond numerous times,[7] with all of them facing multiple charges of racketeering, drug possession, and participation in criminal street gang activity, among other minor charges.[8] The case has been the longest criminal trial in Georgia's state history.[9][10] Many fellow artists, such as Travis Scott, Drake, Future, 21 Savage, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Kanye West, Ty Dolla Sign and Post Malone have shown support for Thug during the case through songs and social media posts.[11][12]

On October 31, 2024, Williams accepted a plea deal.[13][14] He was released from jail the same day after being sentenced to 40 years: 5 years in prison (commuted to time served), 15 years of probation, and a backload of 20 years in prison if probation is violated.[15][16][17]

Timeline

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Young Thug (born Jeffery Williams) in 2019
Gunna (born Sergio Kitchens) in 2021

On May 9, 2022, Thug was arrested in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, at his house in Buckhead.[18] He was charged alongside 27 others in a 56-count RICO indictment that was filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.[19] Two days later, rapper Gunna (born Sergio Kitchens), who is a part of YSL, turned himself in to authorities.[20] Thug was later charged with additional gun-and-drug-related offenses after police raided his home.[21] The case was presided over by Fulton County Chief Judge Ural D. Glanville, who denied bond for everybody who was charged and scheduled the trial to begin on January 9, 2023.[22]

Gunna wrote a letter to his fans from prison on June 14, 2022, saying he was innocent and complaining about his loneliness.[23][3] On August 10, a new indictment was filed in which Thug received six more felony charges.[24] On October 13, Thug and Gunna were again denied release from jail ahead of the trial.[25] On December 14, Gunna was released from jail after he took an Alford plea, pleading guilty to a single charge of racketeering.[26] As a result, he was sentenced to five years in prison and 500 hours of community service, in which the first year was commuted to time served and the remaining four years were suspended due to probation conditions.[26] Following his release, some fellow rappers and many people on social media felt that he "snitched" on Thug by taking the plea deal to get out of jail.[27][28][29]

On January 18, 2023, an alleged drug exchange took place in the courtroom between Thug and YSL co-defendant Kahlieff Adams, and Adams received new charges after deputies found him in possession of Percocet, marijuana, tobacco and other contraband.[30] Thug was briefly hospitalized in May 2023 after falling ill during a court hearing.[31] On June 16, Gunna released his fourth studio album, A Gift & a Curse, in which he maintains his innocence and denies the snitching allegations.[32][33] A week later, Thug's third studio album, Business Is Business, was released while he was in jail.[34][35]

On November 9, Glanville ruled that song lyrics by defendants were allowed to be used as evidence.[36] He stated this is not an attack on free speech, saying that "they're not prosecuting your clients because of the songs they wrote"[37] and "they're using the songs to prove other things your clients may have been involved in".[38] The trial officially began on November 27, with the six defendants being Thug, fellow rappers Yak Gotti (born Deamonte Kendrick), Lil Rod (born Rodalius Ryan), Qua (born Marquavius Huey), SB (born Shannon Stillwell), and Quamarvious Nichols.[6] Thug's lawyer, Brian Steel, explained that the "Thug" in his name stood for "Truly Humble Under God" in the courtroom the following day.[39][40] On December 10, SB was stabbed in jail after another inmate entered his cell.[41] The inmate claimed SB tried to attack him with a knife and that the stabbing was an act of self-defense.[42]

On January 3, 2024, YSL co-defendant Trontavious Stephens identified himself, Thug, and Walter Murphy as the founders of the record label and claimed that it was only music-related and not a criminal street gang.[43][44] On February 16, YSL defense attorney Nicole Fegan, who represented former co-defendant Tenquarius Mender in the case, was arrested on charges of participating in criminal street gang activity and evidence tampering.[45] Four days later, a recording of an anonymous woman calling the police played in the courtroom, where she identified Thug as the gunman in a shooting, saying "They came to my house and told me that the guy who shot somebody's name was Young Thug, whoever that's supposed to be".[46][47] On April 4, Steel filed a motion for lead prosecutor Adriane Love to be removed from the trial as he felt that she was essentially acting as an unsworn witness in order to coerce defendants into admitting to wrongdoing. Glanville denied the motion.[48][3]

On June 10, Steel revealed in the courtroom that he found out that Glanville allegedly had a secret ex-parte meeting with the prosecution[49] and asked why he was not told about the meeting.[50] Steel refused to reveal his source of information, citing attorney–client privilege.[51] Glanville then had him taken into custody.[52] Nearly an hour later, Steel was brought back into the courtroom and continued to refuse to answer.[53] Glanville then held him in contempt of court.[2] Glanville sentenced Steel to 10 weekends in jail, starting on June 14 and ending on August 18.[54] Steel filed a motion on the same day to appeal the ruling, which was granted. The appeal was later approved.[55] He then filed another motion for Glanville to recuse himself for "acting unethical" and because he "morphed" into the prosecutor.[56] Glanville denied the motion[57] and the trial was paused on July 1 until a higher court ruled on the recusal.[58] Two weeks later, Glanville was recused and the trial resumed under the direction of Shukura L. Ingram.[59][9] Ingram recused herself three days later, citing "an improper relationship between a defendant and one of her former deputies".[60][61] Paige Reese Whitaker was assigned to the case.[62]

On September 30, Judge Whitaker chastised Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love for her mishandling of a witness, stating that she appeared to be "purposefully [hiding] the ball to the extent you possibly can, for as long as you possibly can… unless it's just that you are so unorganized that you are throwing this case together as you try it." This came after Love asked a witness to authenticate a document immediately after she had been allowed to do so by Whitaker, on the condition that the witness not authenticate the document.[63]

On October 29, Quamarvious Nichols pleaded guilty to a single count of violating Georgia’s anti-racketeering laws in exchange for his other charges being dropped and was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 7 to be served and 13 years of probation.[64][65] On October 30, Marquavius "Qua" Huey pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, robbery, and several other counts and was sentenced to 25 years in prison with 9 to be served; Rodalius "Lil Rod" Ryan pleaded guilty to a single racketeering conspiracy charge and was sentenced to 10 years in prison which was commuted to time served due to him already serving a life sentence for a 2019 murder.[66][67] On October 31, it was revealed that Williams accepted a plea deal.[13][14] Later the same day, Williams was sentenced to 40 years: 5 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and a backload of 20 years in prison if probation is violated.[15] Williams' release and probation stipulations include him being banned from the Metro Atlanta area, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, for 10 years, he can't make gang-related music, and he has to do four annual anti-gang presentations/concerts for Atlanta, alongside having no contact with known gang members or co-defendants (other than Gunna and his biological brother, both of whom were among his co-defendants).[68][69] He may return to Atlanta only briefly and under strict conditions: to deliver the mandatory anti-gun and anti-gang presentations to local youth four times a year, or to attend the weddings, funerals, graduations, or medical emergencies of his immediate family members. He must consent to be searched at any time, undergo random drug tests, and refrain from promoting gangs in any form.[70] Williams' 5 years in prison was commuted to time served and he was released the same day.[16][17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (December 12, 2023). "Young Thug's YSL RICO Trial: What to Know". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Brasch, Ben; Scribner, Herb (June 12, 2024). "The chaos unfolding at Young Thug's trial, explained". Washington Post. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Saponara, Michael (April 8, 2024). "A Timeline of Young Thug's YSL RICO Trial". Billboard. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  4. ^ Rosario, Alexandra Del (November 27, 2023). "Young Thug's RICO trial has finally started. What you need to know". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  5. ^ Dillon, Nancy (July 19, 2024). "Young Thug Trial 'Moving Forward' Under New Judge, Defense Wants Prosecutors 'Removed'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Lupiani, Joyce (June 30, 2024). "YSL defendants in court: Several remaining defendants reject plea deals". FOX 5 Atlanta. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  7. ^ Dillon, Nancy (August 19, 2022). "Young Thug Denied Bond For Third Time At Heated Hearing". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Burga, Solcyré (July 17, 2024). "Here's Where Young Thug's Trial Stands". Time. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Dillon, Nancy (July 19, 2024). "Young Thug's YSL Racketeering Trial: What's Going On and Will It Ever End?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  10. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (August 12, 2024). "What Happens Now in Young Thug's YSL Trial?". The New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  11. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (May 9, 2024). "24 Rappers Who Have Mentioned Young Thug Since His Arrest". XXL Mag. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  12. ^ ""Free Thug"- Pop Icon Post Malone Names Young Thug His Favorite Artist of All Time, Calls for His Release Amid Trial". Netflix Junkie. September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Dillon, Nancy (October 31, 2024). "Young Thug Takes Plea Deal in YSL Trial, Due to Be Released From Jail". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Horowitz, Steven J. (October 31, 2024). "Young Thug to Be Released From Prison After Accepting Plea Deal in Georgia RICO Case". Variety. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Donahue, Bill (October 31, 2024). "Young Thug Gets No Prison Time After Pleading Guilty In YSL RICO Case". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Coscarelli, Joe (October 31, 2024). "Young Thug Pleads Guilty in YSL Case Nearly a Year Into Trial". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Judge decides to release Young Thug from jail, though he could serve prison time if he violates the sentence's terms". ABC News. October 31, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  18. ^ Fausset, Richard (May 10, 2022). "Young Thug, Atlanta Rap Star, Is Arrested on Gang-Related Charges". The New York Times. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  19. ^ Shifferaw, Byabel. "Young Thug and Gunna Arrested Amid 56-Count Indictment for 28 YSL Members Involving RICO Charges (Update)". Complex. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  20. ^ Henni, Janine. "Rapper Gunna Booked on Charge of Conspiracy to Violate RICO Act After Young Thug's Arrest". People. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  21. ^ "Rapper Young Thug slapped with additional gun, drug charges after arrest at Buckhead home". WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. May 12, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  22. ^ Blistein, Jon (June 14, 2022). "Gunna Asserts His Innocence in First Public Statement Since RICO Act Indictment". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  23. ^ Garcia, Thania (June 14, 2022). "Gunna Says He's Being 'Falsely Accused' in Open Letter From Jail". Variety. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  24. ^ Zaru, Deena (August 12, 2022). "Rapper Young Thug hit with additional felony charges in RICO indictment". ABC News. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  25. ^ Wicker, Jewel; Donahue, Bill (October 13, 2022). "Gunna Denied Release From Jail Once Again, Despite Protests From Lawyers". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  26. ^ a b D'Zurilla, Christie (December 15, 2022). "Rapper Gunna out of jail after pleading guilty to racketeering conspiracy charge". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  27. ^ Brown, Preezy (April 16, 2024). "Gunna Breaks Silence On Relationship With Young Thug And Snitching Allegations". VIBE.com. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  28. ^ Jones, Dajhea (August 22, 2024). "Gunna and attorney speak out on YSL snitching allegations". 11Alive.com. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  29. ^ Papp, Jozsef; Abusaid, Shaddi. "Gunna and alleged gang co-founder negotiate guilty pleas in YSL RICO case". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  30. ^ "Young Thug and Kahlieff Adams Accused of Drug Exchange in Court". NBC 6 South Florida. January 20, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  31. ^ Curto, Justin (May 11, 2023). "Young Thug 'Feeling Fine' After Hospitalization". Vulture. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  32. ^ Blistein, Jon (June 16, 2023). "Gunna Spurns Snitching Rumors on New Album 'A Gift and a Curse'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  33. ^ Cowen, Trace William (June 16, 2023). "All The Gunna Lyrics Addressing Snitching, Young Thug, and YSL Case on 'A Gift & A Curse'". Complex. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  34. ^ Galindo, Thomas (June 23, 2023). "Young Thug Appears to Address Gunna on New Album". American Songwriter. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  35. ^ Braboy, Mark P. (June 26, 2023). "Young Thug's 'Business Is Business' Has the Feel of a Posthumous Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  36. ^ Zaru, Deena (November 9, 2023). "Judge rules rap lyrics can 'conditionally' be used as evidence in Young Thug trial". ABC News. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  37. ^ Donahue, Bill (November 9, 2023). "Judge Rules Young Thug's Lyrics Can Be Used In YSL RICO Case: 'The First Amendment Is Not On Trial'". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  38. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (November 10, 2023). "Lyrics to be introduced as evidence in trial of rapper Young Thug". the Guardian. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  39. ^ Loh, Matthew (November 29, 2023). "Young Thug's defense lawyer said his name stands for 'Truly Humble Under God'". Business Insider. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  40. ^ Moorman, Taijuan (November 29, 2023). "Young Thug's lawyer says name stands for 'Truly Humble Under God'". USA TODAY. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  41. ^ Ginther, Mary Royse (December 11, 2023). "Murder suspect identified as inmate accused of stabbing YSL co-defendant multiple times". WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  42. ^ Abusaid, Shaddi (January 2, 2024). "Young Thug trial resumes after co-defendant's jailhouse stabbing". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  43. ^ Seiden, Michael (January 4, 2024). "Co-founder says YSL is a music label, believes crimes he committed made YSL appear as a gang". WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  44. ^ Darnell, Tim (April 15, 2024). "Alleged YSL co-founder returns to testify in Young Thug's trial". Atlanta News First. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  45. ^ Dillon, Nancy (February 16, 2024). "Wait, What? A YSL Defense Lawyer Was Just Arrested on Gang-Related Charges". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  46. ^ Price, Joe (February 21, 2024). "Young Thug Accused Of 2013 Shooting In 911 Call Played During YSL RICO Trial". Complex. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  47. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (February 20, 2024). "Young Thug Named as Alleged Gunman in 2013 Shooting During 911 Call Played in YSL Trial". XXL Mag. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  48. ^ "Young Thug trial: Judge denies request to remove lead prosecutor". FOX 5 Atlanta. April 5, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  49. ^ Lupiani, Joyce (August 5, 2024). "Young Thug, YSL RICO Trial: June 10 ex parte meeting being discussed in court". FOX 5 Atlanta. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  50. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (June 11, 2024). "Young Thug Lawyer Clashes With Judge in Chaotic Gang Case". The New York Times. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  51. ^ "Young Thug lawyer arrested: Brian Steel held in contempt by Judge Ural Glanville during YSL RICO trial after secret meeting claims". ABC7 Chicago. June 11, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  52. ^ Blistein, Jon (June 11, 2024). "Young Thug's Lawyer Taken Into Custody on Contempt Charge". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  53. ^ Jones, Dajhea (June 10, 2024). "Young Thug's lawyer taken into custody, held in contempt". 11Alive.com. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  54. ^ Rosario, Alexandra Del (July 15, 2024). "Judge in Young Thug RICO case recused as YSL trial in Atlanta goes on hold indefinitely". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  55. ^ Segarra, Edward (June 10, 2024). "Young Thug's lawyer Brian Steel wins jail time appeal after arrest". USA TODAY. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  56. ^ Dillon, Nancy (July 9, 2024). "Young Thug's Lawyers Blast 'Unethical' Judge, Say He 'Morphed' Into Prosecutor". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  57. ^ "Judge denies motion to recuse himself in Young Thug trial". Atlanta News First. June 18, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  58. ^ Drenon, Brandon (July 2, 2024). "Judge puts Young Thug trial indefinitely on hold". BBC News. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  59. ^ Hallerman, Tamar; Quincin, Ashley (July 16, 2024). "Judge taking over Young Thug trial is former prosecutor with busy caseload". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  60. ^ Curto, Justin (July 19, 2024). "YSL Trial's Third Judge Might Be the Charm". Vulture. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  61. ^ Rosario, Alexandra Del (July 18, 2024). "A new judge was appointed to Young Thug's RICO trial, then they recused themselves too". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  62. ^ Quincin, Ashley (July 19, 2024). "Who is Paige Reese Whitaker, the new judge in the Atlanta Young Thug trial?". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  63. ^ Dillon, Nancy (October 1, 2024). "Young Thug's YSL Trial Judge Blasts Prosecutors, Questions Whether They 'Hide the Ball'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  64. ^ Dillon, Nancy (October 29, 2024). "Young Thug's Co-Defendant Takes Plea Deal, Has Murder Count Dismissed". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  65. ^ Saponara, Michael (October 29, 2024). "Young Thug Co-Defendant Takes Plea Deal in YSL RICO Trial: Report". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  66. ^ Donahue, Bill (October 30, 2024). "Two More Young Thug Co-Defendants Take Plea Deals in YSL RICO Trial". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  67. ^ Dillon, Nancy (October 30, 2024). "YSL Trial: Two More Defendants Take Plea Deals in Young Thug's RICO Case". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  68. ^ Pilley, Max (November 1, 2024). "Young Thug accepts plea deal on gang charges, released from jail". NME. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  69. ^ Segarra, Edward. "Young Thug accepts plea deal, admits guilt in RICO trial but avoids prison time". USA TODAY. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  70. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (November 6, 2024). "Banned From Atlanta: The Challenges of Young Thug's Unique Probation". The New York Times.

Further reading

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