Thugger Whistles!

Young Thug is out but on heavy restrictions. He can't be in Atlanta anymore for 10 years.

Jeffrey Williams decided to take a plea deal. The rapper known as Young Thug has decided to negotiate a deal that requires him to rat out his former allies in order to avoid a LIFE sentence in the iron college.

Winners or losers of 2024.

Fox Atlanta has detailed what his obligations are to stay out of the iron college.

The Brief

The Grammy-winning rapper pleaded guilty to several charges, including gang involvement and weapons and drug offenses, without a plea bargain after negotiations failed.

A 40-year sentence was given by the judge, with the first five years commuted to time served, followed by 15 years of probation; any breach could lead to a 20-year imprisonment.

Williams must avoid the Atlanta area for a decade but is required to make anti-violence presentations locally four times a year, contributing to his 100 hours of annual community service.

Young Thug is barred from gang association, except for select individuals with whom he has contractual obligations, and he cannot use gang signifiers; he can travel for work and must undergo random drug testing.

Despite his legal team's disagreement with the prosecution's use of his rap lyrics as evidence and assertion of his innocence, Williams expressed remorse in court, promising to use his influence positively.

He can rap but no more mentions of slime. 

Young Thug must pay all child support to any women who legally claim a child with him.

The 33-year-old Grammy winning artist could not come to terms with prosecutors after negotiations between the two sides broke down, lead prosecutor Adriane Love said. 

"Negotiations totally broke down with the district attorney's office. Horribly broke down," said Brian Steel, Young Thug’s lead attorney, after the hearing.

"We ultimately decided to put our faith in the court rather than in the folks on the other side of the aisle," said Keith Adams, Young Thug’s attorney.

That left the sentence completely up to the judge. 

"A scary feeling for all involved. There's probably no feeling quite like that, other than sitting in a courtroom waiting for a jury to come out," said Steele.

Williams was charged with conspiracy to violate RICO, 2 counts of participation in criminal street gang activity, 3 counts of violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a machine gun. He pleaded guilty toguilty to one gang charge, three drug charges and two gun charges, but also entered a no contest plea to another gang charge and a racketeering conspiracy charge, meaning that he decided not to contest those charges and accepts punishment for them.

The prosecution is asking for 45 years with 25 to serve in prison. The defense is asking for 45 years with 5 to serve in prison, commuted to time served and house arrest for the remainder, and 40 years on probation. The judge was hearing from Love and from defense attorney Brian Steel before making a sentencing decision.

Steel asked the judge to impose a sentence of 45 years with five in prison commuted to time served and 40 years on probation. 

Ultimately, the judge sentenced him to 40 years with the first 5 to be served in prison, but commuted to time served. He will then serve 15 years on probation, with the first half requiring him to report to a probation officer. In addition, he faces 20 years in prison following probation if he is unsuccessful with his probation.

It was not what I wanted. I don't believe that it is just. But I believe that under these circumstances, it is justice for Jeffrey Williams. And he is delighted, as are we. I'm thankful," said Steele.

He must leave the metro Atlanta area 48 hours after he is released and must stay away for the first 10 years of his probation, except for weddings, funerals, graduations or serious illness of family members, the judge said. 

She also ordered him to return to the Atlanta area four times a year during his probation to make a live anti-gang, anti-gun violence presentation at a school or a community organization serving children. She said that can count toward the 100 hours of community service she ordered him to perform each year during probation.

Love had outlined for the judge the evidence she would have presented to prove Young Thug's guilt, including some of his rap lyrics. She asked the judge to sentence him to 45 years, with 25 years in prison and the remaining 20 years on probation.

Steel said they "vehemently disagree" with many of the statements Love made and said it was "offensive" that the state is using Young Thug's lyrics against him.

Steel said the evidence against his client is weak and accused prosecutors of misrepresenting and hiding evidence, saying Young Thug was "falsely accused." Steel said he told his client that he thought they were winning the trial and should go through to a jury verdict.

"But he told me, ‘I can't wait another three months if there is any possibility I could go home because I have children that are hurting. I have things to do,'" Steel said.

Deputies took the rapper from the Fulton County Courthouse back to the Fulton County Jail on Rice Street. Just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday, William’s inmate status in the Fulton County Jail log indicated he was released.

"Both sides gave up something, some more than others. There's a lot of valuations that are really tough to understand. Unless you're sitting in the shoes of the state or of those defendants looking at the conditions, and what's on the table," said Joshua Schiffer, a legal expert and longtime lawyer.

A tremendously successful rapper, Young Thug started his own record label, Young Stoner Life or YSL. Prosecutors have said he also co-founded a violent criminal street gang and that YSL stands for Young Slime Life. 

He was charged two years ago in a sprawling indictment accusing him and more than two dozen other people of conspiring to violate Georgia's anti-racketeering law. He also was charged with gang, drug and gun crimes. 

Young Thug's plea comes nearly a year after the prosecution began presenting evidence in the problem-plagued trial. Jury selection at the courthouse in Atlanta began in January 2023 and took nearly 10 months. The trial of six defendants began with opening statements last November, and prosecutors since then have called dozens of witnesses.