Young Thug Pleads Guilty in YSL RICO Trial
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 exception to 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.
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.
This story is being updated.