Atlanta rapper Young Thug was released from jail Thursday evening after pleading guilty to gang, drug, and gun charges, marking the end to the longest criminal trial in Georgia’s history.
Video footage showed a dark sedan pulling off from the Fulton County jail with Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Atkins, purportedly inside. It was unknown where the vehicle was headed, but it is assumed that he will leave town.
As terms of his plea deal, Young Thug must also:
- Stay away from metro Atlanta for 10 years.
- Refrain from using any illicit drugs.
- Avoid association with any gang paraphernalia.
- Speak against drugs/gang violence four times a year.
Young Thug’s father spoke to news cameras last Thursday and was emotional. “I feel great that he’s going home, but by the same token, I wanted him to fight,” he said, referring to his son taking a plea deal. “As an adult, he has to make his own decision.”
The elder Williams also had some pointed words for District Attorney Fani Willis, saying that he didn’t agree with the district attorney’s stipulation that his son be banned from metro Atlanta.
“To take a man from where he’s from and have to go live somewhere else, I’m really against that. That offends me,” he said.
The rapper’s longtime girlfriend, performing artist Mariah the Scientist, was on stage Thursday evening anxious about the imminent release of her lover.
Young Thug’s Girlfriend Speaks Out After Release
“There was people telling me I would never see him again. There was people who was laughing at me and laughing at the situation making fun of us,’ she said. “Let’s just make it to the end so I can get on this jet.”
Later in a statement to the media, she released the following statement:
“Thank you God, thank you God. This is more than what we prayed for. We are so grateful, this is the greatest opportunity we’ve ever been presented with and we are so grateful. Thank you Judge Paige Whitaker for giving us the opportunity to move forward with our life! Thank you God. Thank you Brian Steel and Keith Adams and every attorney working on this case, tireless. THANK YOU! I cannot say it enough, I cannot repay you for this. You have changed our lives, Jeffery’s life and mine. Thank you to everyone who has been there for us, every fan, who believed in us and prayed for us.”
Williams, 33, was arrested on May 9, 2022, during a raid in connection with a RICO case involving gang activity in Atlanta. The trial, from the get-go, was one of fanfare.
He faced multiple charges, including conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Young Thug and his co-defendants, including rapper Gunna, were charged with multiple counts, primarily under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The charges included conspiracy to participate in criminal gang activity, as well as various counts related to violent crimes, drug offenses, and other illegal activities. The prosecution alleged that they were part of the Young Slime Life (YSL) gang, which was involved in various criminal enterprises in Atlanta.