After more than two years in jail, rapper Young Thug has decided to take a plea deal in his ongoing YSL Rico trial. The artist, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, was facing multiple charges including racketeering and conspiracy in connection to a 2017 incident involving members of his YSL crew.
According to court documents, Young Thug pleaded guilty to five of the eight charges against him, including possession and distribution of a controlled substance, and was sentenced to five years probation. The remaining three charges were dropped as part of the plea deal.
The rapper’s decision to plead out without a pre-negotiated sentence with prosecutors came as a surprise to many, as he had previously maintained his innocence and rejected multiple plea deals. However, sources close to the case say that the evidence against him was strong and the risk of a potential conviction and lengthy prison sentence was too great.
Young Thug’s legal team released a statement saying, “After careful consideration and consultation with his lawyers, Young Thug has decided to accept the plea deal offered by the prosecution. He is grateful for the support of his fans and looks forward to putting this behind him and focusing on his music.”
The YSL Rico trial has been ongoing since 2017, when Young Thug and several members of his crew were arrested on various charges including drug possession, weapons possession, and conspiracy to commit murder. The charges stemmed from a raid on the rapper’s tour bus in which police found drugs and guns.
While Young Thug has now resolved his legal issues, the trial is still ongoing for his co-defendants. The rapper’s plea deal does not require him to testify against them, but he may be called as a witness by the prosecution.
Despite the legal troubles, Young Thug has continued to release music and collaborate with other artists. He recently dropped his latest album, “Punk,” and has upcoming collaborations with Travis Scott and Lil Nas X. Fans are hopeful that the rapper will now be able to focus on his music career without the distraction of the trial.
