American rapper Jeffery Williams, popularly known as Young Thug, has been released from prison after spending two years in custody.
Thug’s release comes following a plea deal in his high-profile racketeering case, which had linked him to alleged street gang activities.
Young Thug, a founding member of YSL (Young Slime Life), was arrested in May 2022 as part of a sweeping 56-count indictment targeting 28 individuals under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. He faced two main charges: conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and participation in street gang activity, along with several other accusations of gun and drug-related offenses.
On Thursday, Young Thug accepted a plea deal, pleading no contest to the RICO and gang leader counts, while pleading guilty to additional charges, including two gun charges and three drug charges. As part of the agreement, the rapper will serve 15 years of probation, contingent upon successfully completing the terms of his release.
As part of his probation, Thug will be required to make anti-gang presentations to children four times a year and complete 100 hours of community service annually. Prosecutors had initially recommended a 45-year sentence, including 25 years in prison and 20 years of probation; however, Georgia Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker reduced the sentence, enabling his release.
