Rapper Young Thug arrested on RICO, criminal street gang activity charges
Young Thug was booked into a Georgia jail following his arrest on allegations of participating in gang activity and other criminal behavior.
The Atlanta rapper, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, was one of 28 people listed on the 56-count indictment released Monday, which also named fellow rapper Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Giavanni Kitchens.
Both men are charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, more commonly known as Georgia’s RICO act in connection with an alleged incident that occurred in 2018. They’re also facing a count of criminal street gang activity, a charge that stems from an incident dating back to 2013, according to jail records.
Young Thug was taken into custody on Monday at his home in Buckhead, an Atlanta suburb, police said. He was initially slated to appear Tuesday in magistrate court in Fulton County, but will instead go before a superior court judge at a later date.
His lawyer, Brian Steel, in a statement to USA Today, denied the 30-year-old musician has participated in any criminal activity.
“Mr. Williams has committed no violation of law, whatsoever,” he said. “We will fight this case ethically, legally and zealously. Mr. Williams will be cleared.”
Others named in the 88-page indictment include additional members of YSL — also known by names including “Young Slime Life,” “Young Stoner Life” and “Young Slatt Life” — like Yak Gotti, PeeWee Roscoe, and Thug’s brother Unfoonk, The New York Times reported.
Officials noted that YSL, founded in-part by Young Thug 2012, has also been declared a “criminal street gang” and is known to have an affiliation with the Bloods gang. The rapper’s Atlanta-based record label and imprint also shares the moniker.
Each of the suspects were are facing counts conspiracy to violate the state Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, which is based on a federal law that has often been used against those accused of engaging in organized crime. Gang members are additionally accused of crimes including witness intimidation, murder, attempted murder, carjacking, robbery, theft and drug dealing.
New Orleans hip hop star Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Carter, was also named in the documents — but as the victim in a shooting allegedly carried by YSL member Jimmy Winfrey in April 2015, according to the indictment.
The recent allegations do not mark the first time Young Thug has been in trouble with law enforcement. In 2018, he was arrested alongside several members of his entourage at Dave & Buster’s, where he was celebrating his 27th birthday at the time. A search of his vehicle, triggered by a fender bender with a squad car, uncovered weapons and he was hit with a felony firearm charge.
Young Thug was also arrested in September the year prior and later charged with eight felonies, mostly drug-related — including possession and intent to distribute meth, hydrocodone and marijuana — as well as possession of a firearm.
It was not immediately clear whether Gunna has been arrested.
