Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Young Thug arrested in Atlanta with two gang counts and Rico charges

He is being held at the Fulton County Jail

Peony Hirwani
Tuesday 10 May 2022 00:48 EDT
Young Thug criticises Andre 3000

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Rapper Young Thug has been arrested at his home in Buckhead, Atlanta with two gang counts and Rico charges.

The 30-year-old rapper, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, was one of 28 people indicted in Atlanta on conspiracy to violate the state's Rico act and street gang charges, according to jail records.

He is being held at the Fulton County Jail.

The conspiracy charge dates back to 2013 and the gang charge to 2018, the jail record says.

Young Thug is allegedly one of three founders of the Young Slime Life, “a criminal street gang that started in late 2012” in Atlanta, the indictment says.

YSL is affiliated with the national Bloods gang, officials said. Charges include “Preserving, protecting and enhancing the reputation, power and territory of the enterprise through acts of racketeering activity including murder, assault and threats of violence.”

Young Thug's lawyer Brian Steel told local media that “Mr. Williams committed no crime whatsoever” and that he would “fight till his last drop of blood to clear him.”

He will make his first court appearance on Tuesday 10 May at 11:30am.

Also indicted on Monday 9 May was rapper Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Kitchens.

It was not immediately known if Gunna, who is accused of conspiracy to violate the state's RICO act, has been arrested.

In April 2021 Young Thug and Gunna posted bail for 30 low-level inmates who were unable to afford the costs themselves.

Young Thug’s record label has been called YSL Records or Young Stoner Life Records.

The label refers to its artists as part of the “Slime Family,” and a compilation album called “Slime Language 2” hit No. 1 on the charts in April 2021.

Additional reporting by AP

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in