Young Thug is heading home.
The Atlanta rapper, born Jeffery Lamar Williams, was sentenced to 40 years on Thursday after changing his plea to guilty in Georgia’s extensive RICO trial. Under the terms of the deal, Young Thug will serve five years, which has been commuted to time already served, followed by 15 years on probation. An additional 20 years are “backloaded,” meaning that if he fails to meet the terms of his probation, he will be required to serve those years in custody.
In court, Young Thug expressed remorse, addressing the judge directly. “I take full responsibility for my charges. I want to say sorry to my family… my mom, my kids, my managers, everyone involved,” he began, acknowledging the impact of the trial on his loved ones. Reflecting on his past, he admitted, “I find myself in a lot of stuff because I was just nice or cool… and I understand that you can’t be that way when you reach a certain height.”
Young Thug spoke of his efforts to give back to the community, recounting charitable acts such as donating proceeds from free concerts to single-parent and breast cancer charities. “I’ve put millions of dollars back into my community,” he shared. “I did more than anybody ever did from my side.” He also promised a shift in his artistic message, acknowledging the potential impact of his lyrics on others. “I understand how [lyrics] could be twisted… I’m 100% changing that. I’m older, grown now, smarter.”
Young Thug’s probation terms come with specific conditions designed to address gang violence and community impact. For the first 10 years, he is expected to stay away from the metro Atlanta area, with exceptions for family events such as weddings and graduations. Additionally, he is required to make anti-gang presentations at schools in metro Atlanta four times each year, which may include community benefit concerts. Each year, he must also complete 100 hours of community service.
Judge Paige Whitaker balanced these factors in the sentencing, acknowledging that the state was initially willing to dismiss several charges if certain conditions were met. “The state… does not seem to be particularly worried that Mr. Williams, if on the streets, would be a danger to society,” Judge Whitaker noted.
The sentencing marks the conclusion of Young Thug’s role in a trial that began with his 2022 indictment. Prosecutors alleged he led Young Slime Life (YSL), an organization they described as a gang tied to various violent activities and the national Bloods network. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis used Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute to argue that YSL was operating as a gang. Originally, the case named 27 co-defendants, many of whom have since taken plea deals or opted for separate trials.
Since January 2023, the trial has faced multiple delays due to plea agreements and defendants being tried separately. Three co-defendants—Quamarvious Nichols, Marquavius Huey, and Rodalius Ryan—recently accepted plea deals, receiving probation and time served for racketeering conspiracy, although Ryan remains in prison on an unrelated life sentence.
The case has also seen a series of disruptions, from heated courtroom exchanges to a court deputy allegedly smuggling contraband, and even a Zoom hacking incident where someone shouted “Free Thug!” Additionally, the original judge was recused earlier this year following a misconduct complaint, further complicating the proceedings.
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