YSL’s Lil Woody Caught Up in ATL Street Racing Sting, Faces New Charges

Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland, a former YSL affiliate turned government witness, is back in the headlines. Atlanta police announced Thursday that Copeland was one of four people arrested in a major street racing crackdown across the city.

Authorities say the suspects were behind organized and increasingly dangerous street racing takeovers that blocked traffic, launched fireworks, and even involved firearms.

“They’re not just individuals that’s just racing, we’re seeing a lot of escalated violence amongst those groups,” said Lt. Rodney Jones of the Atlanta Police Department.

Video online shows one of these chaotic events with cars drifting around a flaming ring in the middle of the street, fireworks exploding, and guns visible through open car windows.

Copeland, along with Emanuel Garcia‑Velasco, Anthony Bahena‑Aviles, and Katelyn Gamoa‑Carrillo, faces a series of driving-related charges. The arrests were made with help from Georgia State Patrol and law enforcement across Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Henry counties.

Copeland’s involvement is raising eyebrows given his recent testimony in the YSL RICO trial. While many thought he was trying to leave street life behind, this latest arrest suggests otherwise.