Young Thug to Be Released From Jail After Changing Plea to Guilty

Young Thug is being freed. 

After being the subject of the longest-running criminal trial in Georgia's history that began in January 2023, the rapper pleaded guilty to drug- and gun-related charges and no contest to charges of conspiracy and participating in a street gang stemming from his May 2022 arrest, according to NBC News.

After entering his guilty plea, Young Thug was sentenced to 40 years , with the first five years in prison. However, the judge overseeing his case, Judge Paige Whitaker, commuted the time he has already served, therefore releasing him, followed by 15 years on probation. However, he could serve an additional 20 years in custody if probation is not successful, as reported by the outlet.

Additionally, the 33-year-old—real name Jeffery Lamar Williams—has been ordered to stay away from the Metro-Atlanta area and to have no contact with any affiliated gang members.

Following the sentencing, Judge Whitaker told the Grammy winner, per NBC News, "There better be no violations, but if there are any, you're coming back to see me."

The judge also encouraged him to give back to his community, telling him that "if you choose to continue to rap, you need to try to use your influence to let kids know that is not the way to go."

"There are ways out of poverty besides hooking up with the powerful guy at the end of the street selling drugs," Judge Whitaker continued. "I want you to be more of the solution and less of the problem."

Young Thug acknowledged the power he holds in his Atlanta community, telling the court he would take "full responsibility for my crimes and for my charges," according to NBC News.

"I know what I bring to the table and I know what I am," he said. "I know the heights I've reached and I know the impact I've got on people in the community."

In 2022, Young Thug was one of 28 people named in a 56-count indictment which centered around the group "Young Slime Life" (YSL). The original filing—which was obtained by E! News at the time—alleged the rapper was one of the street gang's 2012 founders and that it had ties to the national well-known Bloods gang.

E! News has reached out to Young Thug's lawyer for comment on the sentencing, but has not heard back. 

(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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