Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, and five other YSL members - Marquavius Huey, Deamonte 'Yak Gotti' Kendrick, Quamarvious Nichols, Rodalius Ryan and Shannon Stillwell - face trial on racketeering and gang-related charges. Several of the original co-defendants took plea deals in the case. Gunna, Lil Duke, Slimelife Shawty and YSL co-founder Walter Murphy were released from jail after accepting plea deals. Young Thug's brother Unfoonk also agreed to a plea deal. Young Thug has remained in jail since his arrest when he was indicted for conspiracy to violate Georgia's RICO Act and participation in a criminal street gang. Prosecutors claim Young Thug's YSL Records served as the front for a dangerous street gang. After an updated, 65-count indictment was filed August 2022, Thug himself is now facing eight counts, including one count of participating in the RICO conspiracy; one count of participating in a criminal street gang; three counts of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act; one count of possession of a firearm while committing a felony; and one count of possession of a machine gun. Some of the most serious accusations in the indictment center on the 2015 killing of Donovan 'Big Nut' Thomas Jr., who prosecutors say ran a rival gang in Atlanta. Five YSL members were directly charged with the murder, while Thug himself was accused of renting the car that was used to commit the killing. In one allegation, the indictment claims that two other YSL members discussed 'how to obtain permission' from Thug before attempting to murder rival rapper YFN Lucci (Rayshawn Bennett) while he was in jail. If convicted on the RICO charge, the defendants face prison sentences anywhere from five to 20 years. Other charges, if proven, could mean additional prison time. |