Young Thug to Walk Free After Guilty Plea in RICO Case
After nearly two years of legal drama in what ended up becoming the longest criminal trial in Georgia state history, Atlanta-bred rapper Young Thug is seemingly coming home.
On Oct. 31, the state of Georgia and Thug agreed to a non-negotiated plea deal that forces the "Pick Up the Phone" rapper to serve 15 years of probation, according to CNN. By pleading guilty to various gun and drug charges, Thug is able to avoid the 45-year prison sentence he could've been facing; the judge handed down a sentence of five years (which was commuted to time served in jail) and 15 on probation with the possibility of serving 20 years in custody if the terms of his probation are violated. He's been in jail since his May 2022 arrest and is able to be released immediately.
Thug speaks. pic.twitter.com/NrAGSWHWJv
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) October 31, 2024
The case dates back nearly a decade to a 2015 fatal shooting of an alleged rival gang member, as well as other alleged gun and drug crimes.
Young Thug and members of his Young Stoner Life Records crew were charged in 2022 under Georgia's Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Among the evidence used were rap lyrics that prosecutors claimed were evidence of crimes being committed. This implicated many of his associates including rapper Gunna.
Gunna took a plea deal and others were severed from the case entirely, leaving Thug as one of the six defendants on trial. The controversial trial became a circus involving several motions for a mistrial and a new judge being assigned to the case.
FULL SENTENCING
— THUGGERDAILY ひ (@ThuggerDaily) October 31, 2024
THIS JUDGE SAW THROUGH THE STATE'S GAMES AND RULES THAT THUG IS NOT A DANGER
HE'S FREE TODAY!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Dr7eZdZOAW
Speaking to the court in his hearing today, Thug apologized to his family and friends for what they've been through over the past two years and expressed his hope that he won't have to see the judge again. He released his third album Business is Business while in jail last year, though with his freedom now secured, it remains to be seen just how long before the prolific rapper releases new music.