Young thug released on plea deal after Georgia's longest trial

Fans of Young Thug can celebrate – after a lengthy period of imprisonment, the rapper has finally been set free. His legal battle in Georgia was notably protracted. The case began in 2022, while Thugger had been held in custody since January 2023. The list of charges against him was extensive: if found guilty of all the alleged offences, he would have faced a total sentence of 120 years in prison.

Young Thug was detained for violating the RICO Act, which pertains to running and participating in an illegal criminal group. In addition to the rapper, several other individuals were detained, including Gunna, who was released swiftly.

Thug was charged with, among other things, possession of weapons and drugs and engaging in criminal activities. The most serious charge was that the record label YSL (Young Stoner Life Records) was a criminal organisation. This, however, could not be proven.

The rapper ultimately agreed to a plea deal with the court. He received a sentence of 40 years' imprisonment, which was reduced. Young Thug was released after 2.5 years behind bars – he was meant to serve five, but he was treated with exceptional leniency. Following his release, the artist will begin a 15-year probationary period. If he breaches the terms of the plea deal, he will be imprisoned for 20 years without the possibility of appeal. Young Thug committed to:

• not leaving Atlanta (except in exceptional circumstances),
• completing 100 hours of community service annually,
• not promoting criminality,
• not meeting with known gang members (with two exceptions: his brother Unfoonk and Gunna, who is signed to his label),
• submitting to random drug tests,
• conducting annual presentations warning children about the dangers of gangs.