Rapper Young Thug has been released from custody after being sentenced to time served in a lengthy trial

Prosecutors aimed to establish that Young Thug was the leader of the YSL gang and participated in crimes committed by its members, including the 2015 fatal shooting of an alleged rival gang member. They claimed Young Thug had rented a car used by YSL members in the killing.

Several other defendants, including rapper Gunna, accepted plea deals or had their cases separated from the trial. Young Thug was one of six defendants tried together and had been in jail since his arrest in May 2022.

Williams pleaded guilty to six charges: one count of participation in criminal street gang activity, three counts of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, one count of firearm possession during the commission of a felony, and one count of possession of a machine gun. He also entered no-contest pleas to two charges, meaning he could be sentenced as if he had pleaded guilty without contesting the charges.

When asked if he wanted to comment, Williams took full responsibility, apologized to his family, and asked Judge Paige Reese Whitaker to let him go home. He expressed regret for his actions and mentioned his charitable contributions and free concerts.

Judge Whitaker advised Williams to be more of a solution than a problem before sentencing him. The case faced criticism for using rap lyrics as evidence of gang activity, which some viewed as a violation of free speech and artistic expression.

Williams acknowledged the impact of rap lyrics and promised to change. Whitaker ordered him to stay away from the metropolitan Atlanta area for the first 10 years of his probation, except for specific events, and to host anti-gang and anti-gun presentations four times a year. He must also complete 100 hours of community service annually and avoid contact with gang members.

Williams could have faced up to 120 years in prison if convicted on all charges. The trial included multiple motions for mistrial, with jury selection alone taking over a year.

Three co-defendants accepted plea agreements this week. Rodalius Ryan, known as “Lil Rod,” and Marquavious Huey, known as “Qua,” pleaded guilty to violating the state’s RICO Act. Ryan received a 10-year sentence commuted to time served, while Huey admitted guilt to multiple counts, including armed robbery. Ryan’s sentence will run concurrently with a life sentence for a separate murder case.

As part of his plea deal, Huey admitted guilt to multiple charges in the indictment, including armed robbery. He was sentenced to 25 years, with nine years in custody, nine years on probation, and five years suspended.

Quamarvious Nichols, also known as “Qua,” accepted a plea deal on Tuesday for conspiracy to violate the RICO Act. He received a negotiated sentence of 20 years, with seven years in custody and the remaining years on probation. In exchange, multiple charges, including murder, were dismissed.

None of the three individuals who pleaded guilty will be required to testify against the remaining co-defendants, including the primary target of the case, Young Thug.