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Young Thug pleads guilty in YSL lawsuit, no contest to RICO

Young Thug pleads guilty in YSL lawsuit, no contest to RICO

Young Thug.
Photo: Arvin Temkar/TNS via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Young Thug entered a no-deal plea in the long-running RICO lawsuit against his label, YSL. The rapper, born Jeffery Williams, pleaded guilty to various firearms and drug charges, along with one charge of participating in criminal gang activity. Thug pleaded “nolo contendere,” or no contest, to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and one charge of driving for criminal participation in criminal gang activity. His no-deal plea means both the state and his attorneys can recommend separate sentences, and Judge Paige Reese Whitaker will decide the sentencing. Adriane Love, the chief deputy district attorney for Fulton County, Ga., recommended a sentence of 45 years, including 25 years in prison and 20 years on probation. Thug’s attorneys have yet to make a sentencing recommendation.

Thug’s plea followed a moment of drama in the Atlanta courtroom. When court returned late in the afternoon on October 31, Judge Whitaker said he understood Thug’s team was at an “impasse” with the state. She then asked if he wanted to enter a no-deal plea. Thug looked unsure. Whitaker then asked for a recess so Thug could consult with his lawyers. When court returned about half an hour later, Thug was ready to enter his no-deal plea.

Young Thug was tried alongside five co-defendants in what became the longest criminal trial in Georgia history. Three of those co-defendants — Quamarvious Nichols, Marquavius ​​Huey and Rodalius Ryan — took plea deals earlier this week. Another co-defendant, Yak Gotti, today refused a new plea deal, according to his attorney, Doug Weinstein. “Yak Gotti rejected the state’s latest plea offer and fully intends to take this to a jury and get our not guilty verdicts and go home,” Weinstein. he told Atlanta’s WSB-TV. The last co-defendant, Shannon Stilwell, also declined a plea deal, Law and Crime reported.

This is breaking news. It will be updated.