SLAP ON THE WRIST

Young Thug Avoids Prison After Pleading Guilty

The Atlanta rapper will have to serve 15 years of probation or risk returning to prison.

Rapper Young Thug pleaded guilty to gang-related charges on Thursday and will be released to serve 15 years of probation—over two years after he was first indicted and jailed as part of the racketeering case against his record label, YSL Records. Prosecutors were unable to reach a plea deal with the Atlanta rapper, whose real name is Jeffrey Williams, and he entered a non-negotiated plea—meaning Fulton County Judge Paige Reese Whitaker had the final say over his sentence. Williams pleaded guilty to six drug and gun-related charges, but pleaded no contest to a charge of racketeering conspiracy and another charge of participating in a criminal street gang. “I take full responsibility for my crimes,” Williams said before apologizing to his family. “I know the choice is up to you, and I hope that you allow me to go home today and trust in me to do the right thing,” Williams told the court. He was eventually given a 40-year sentence with the first five years commuted to time served, and will be released on probation for the next 15 years. Williams was also given a 20-year prison sentence backloaded, but this will only kick in if he violates his probation. If he completes his probation without violating the conditions, this sentence will be commuted to time served as well.