Rapper Young Thug accused of new charges in RICO case

Young Thug performs on Day 4 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Aug. 1, 2021, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

Young Thug, an Atlanta rapper accused of conspiracy to violate Georgia's RICO Act and membership in a violent street gang, is facing six new felony charges and four others related to the case.

The artist, whose real name is Jeffrey Williams, was charged with a new crime in Fulton County Superior Court this week. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said that he now faces new allegations of participation in criminal street gang activities, violation of the Georgia controlled substances act, possession of a handgun during the commission of a felony, possession of a machine gun, and drug charges.

The latest accusations derive from what detectives discovered following Williams' arrest in Atlanta's posh Buckhead neighborhood on May 9, according to police.

The initial indictment includes 56 counts against 28 individuals for participating in crimes perpetrated by the Young Slime Life street gang. The revised indictment now consists of 65 charges, of which six pertain to Williams.

When Williams was arrested, it was uncertain whether the new charges would be added to the RICO case. According to court records, this has been done.

Williams' attorney, Brian Steel, stated that his client is innocent and eager to defend himself in court.

Mr. Williams has not committed any offenses whatsoever, Steel told the newspaper on Wednesday. We are unable to wait for the trial date.

Williams and Gunna, whose true name is Sergio Kitchens, remain in jail after their release requests were denied earlier this year. A new bond hearing for Williams has been planned for next week, according to Steel, and the trial date has been tentatively set for January 9, 2023.

Martinez Arnold, also known as Duke, and Deamonte Kendrick, also known as Yak Gotti, are charged with participating in criminal street gang activities, violating the Georgia restricted substances statute, possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a machine gun. Additionally, Kendrick has been charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

In connection with the killing of Shymel Drinks on March 18, Shannon Stillwell and Quamarvious Nichols were charged with one additional count of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

Arnold's attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, expressed confidence to WSB-TV that her client would not be convicted. She stated that he would enter a not-guilty plea to the new accusations, just as he did to the initial ones.

According to authorities, the center of the indictment on Young Slime Life, an alleged Atlanta group created by Williams and two others with ties to the national Bloods gang.

Young Thug and Childish Gambino co-wrote the smash song "This is America," which is 2019 became the first hip-hop song to win the Grammy for song of the year.

Publish : 2022-08-11 17:11:00

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