Young Thug faces 10-year-ban from hometown Metro Atlanta as part of plea deal, fans say 'glad he's free'

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, signed a non-negotiable guilty plea deal on Thursday, October 31, that banned him from his hometown of Metro Atlanta as one of the conditions. 

The 33-year-old rapper, who spent more than 900 days in custody, was released on Thursday night. However, as per CNN, he will have to serve 15 years on probation as part of the plea agreement. 

Williams signed the guilty plea deal related to several charges including firearm possession and participation in criminal street gang activity. He, however, pleaded no contest to racketeering and leading a criminal street gang.

Young Thug signs non-negotiated guilty plea deal that restricts his movement in Atlanta

The rapper and dozens of defendants were charged in 2022 under Georgia’s sprawling Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Though Jeffery Williams denied being the leader of a criminal enterprise, the prosecutors accused him of heading a criminal street gang in Georgia and being responsible for a slew of criminal activities. 

The prosecutors argued that the acronym for his record label, YSL - Young Stoner Life Records - also stands for Young Slime Life - an Atlanta-based criminal street gang. 

Williams, who has been jailed since his arrest in May 2022, pleaded guilty to six charges. His guilty plea included 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.

The two no-contest pleas meant he could still be sentenced for the charges as though a guilty plea had been entered though he did not contest the charges.

Following the trial, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker gave an elaborate list of conditions while writing the release statement of the ‘Go Crazy’ singer. 

According to the release condition, the rapper’s movement in the Metro Atlanta area has been restricted. He is not allowed to visit the city for 10 years, except for family weddings, funerals, graduations, or serious illnesses. 

His ban from Metro Atlanta is to start from two days following his release. Though he is allowed to visit the city on the aforementioned special occasions, he has to leave within 48 hours of those events ending. 

Moreover, he has to return to the city four times a year for each year of his probation to host an anti-gang and anti-gun presentation or a concert. 

The rapper has been sentenced to have no contact with gang members or co-defendants (except his brother and Gunna). The judge further forbade him from promoting gang-related content in any form. 

He has also been asked to perform 100 hours of community service during each of his probation years, per the outlet. 

Internet erupts at Young Thug's release with condition

Young Thug's release - albeit with a plethora of conditions - came as a respite to his fans and naturally, the internet has a lot to say about the terms.

One of the social media users said, "These are really good conditions ngl."

"All this a win + anti - gang concerts will be great just to spread awareness," praised another fan.

Someone else noted, "This is nothing hes free thats all that matters."

"Now he's truly humble under god this time," said another user. 

"15 years probation is a big setup , he should be really careful henceforth," cautioned another wellwisher of the rapper. 

Someone else noted, "That the most softest condition ever😭😭."

Another fan sounded hopeful, "Avoiding gang related content wont be a problem for thug he’s done it before. we might even get the best version of him as an artist now."

"He’s lowkey getting off good 😭😭," chimed in another hopeful fan.

Someone else added, "Thug gonna drop the most profound, healing therapy album of all time."

Another fan, however, quipped at one of the conditions, "If he's banned from metro Atlanta how's he gonna do 4 presentations a year there? 😂"

"Banned from Metro Atlanta… But must perform/present in Metro Atlanta lol," said another fan.

Someone else added, "I love this for him. Glad he's "free"."

Another fan said, "Maybe he should change his name as well from young thug to old Christian."

"Banned from Atlanta but must perform there is crazy," commented another user. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.