Young Thug has accepted a non-negotiated plea deal in his long-running RICO trial.
The Georgia-born rapper, legal name Jeffery Williams, made his decision on Oct. 31, more than two years after he was arrested on gang-related charges. In addition to the RICO violation charge, Thug was hit with two counts of participation in criminal street gang activity, three counts of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a machine gun.
The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to all of the charges with the exception of two counts: violating the RICO act and leading/supervising a street gang, to which he pleaded no contest.
Prosecutors pushed back on the no-contest pleas; however, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker permitted them.
Prosecutors initially presented a deal that would’ve allowed Thug’s immediate release from jail. He rejected the offer after the state and legal team failed to agree on the probation terms.
The non-negotiated plea, aka a "blind plea," allows a defendant to plead guilty without reaching a sentencing agreement with the state. The court will determine the sentencing after hearing recommendations from the defense and prosecutors.
During Thursday's hearing, prosecutors recommended a sentencing of 45 years — 25 years to serve in custody, followed by 20 years of probation. The state also asked that the defendant forfeit all property that was seized in a home search.
Thug's defense team requested a 45-year sentence: five years in prison commuted to time served and 40 years on probation.
"Mr. Williams asks the court for house arrest for three years as part of his sentence," Thug's attorney, Brian Steel, told the court. "House arrest specifically defined that Mr. Williams will be in his home or at any lawful employment, [including] touring, studio, performance, or business meetings."
Steel said his client has also agreed to perform 100 hours of community service annually for the next three years and may "associate with people who are convicted felons or alleged gang members solely for the purpose of making music."
After the defense laid out their recommendations, Thug addressed the court directly.
"I take full responsibility for my crimes, or my charges...," he told the judge. "I am a smart guy, I am a good guy, I really got a good heart... I know the choice is yours. It's up to you. I hope that you allow me to go home today and just trust in me to do the right thing... I'm sorry."
Thug has been incarcerated since May of 2022, after he and dozens of YSL associates were arrested on gang and racketeering charges. Earlier this week, three of Thug's co-defendants Quamarvious Nichols, Rodalius Ryan, and Marquavius Huey entered plea deals and sentenced to 20, 10, and 25 years in prison, respectively.
Hours before Thug accepted the non-negotiated plea, co-defendant Deamonte Kendrick, aka Yak Gotti, rejected a plea deal.
"[Kendrick] intends to take this to the jury and get our not guilty verdicts and go home," his attorney, Douglas Weinstein, told 11Alive.
Thug's RICO case is said to be the longest-running criminal trial in Georgia's history, thanks in large part to the 10-month jury selection process.
