Young Thug charged with gang crime, gun possession and drug trafficking

Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffrey Lamar Williams, was arrested on May 9, 2022. He and 27 other people are accused of being members of a criminal organization. The charges were brought under the RICO Act, which criminalizes membership of a criminal organization. The indictment includes a total of 65 criminal points against this background. These include murder, armed robbery, gun possession and drug trafficking. Shortly before the start of the main trial on January 9, 2023, it is now clear that the rapper himself will only be charged in eight of the 65 points. They include membership in a criminal organization, commissioning a crime, and possession of weapons and drugs.

Out of the 65 charges, #YoungThug is charged with 8 counts.
Ct 1: Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations.
ct. 56 & 57 : Participation in Criminal Street Gang Activity
1/2 pic.twitter.com/HlbDUG9XJZ

— Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) January 4, 2023

YSL is a criminal organization

Prosecutors originally filed charges on suspicion that Williams and his co-defendants were part of a criminal organization known as “YSL.” “YSL” stands for “Young Stoner Life” and is also the name of the label that Young Thug founded. However, in “YSL Records” it officially stands for “Young Slime Life”. Several co-defendants have already reached agreements with the prosecutor’s office that will bring them sentence reductions, including rapper Gunna, who is also accused. As part of this agreement, he had admitted that “YSL” was indeed a criminal organization. His sentence of five years in prison was then suspended on probation.

The legal evaluation of rap texts

The prosecution repeatedly refers to the lyrics of the arrested persons. In the USA this has triggered a debate about artistic freedom, the legal usability of artistic products in general and about racism in the context of their legal use, especially due to the increasing inclusion of rap lyrics in criminal proceedings. This legal usability should be decided in a separate process. It was supposed to take place in December 2022 but has been postponed until further notice.

After the start of the process on January 9, 2023, however, this debate will probably continue to have repercussions.

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