Young Thug was arrested May 9 on gang-related charges connected to his label and artists’ collective YSL. WSB-TV’s Michael Seiden was the first to report the news of the 56-count grand jury indictment that describes YSL as a “criminal street gang†affiliated with the national Bloods gang. The 88-page indictment names 28 defendants associated with YSL, including Gunna. Prosecutors allege that from January 2013 to May 2022, the defendants conspired to illegally obtain money and property through a pattern of racketeering activity including murder, attempted armed robbery, assault, and threats of violence. The indictment refers to rap lyrics and social-media posts as overt acts “in furtherance of the conspiracy.â€
Young Thug (real name Jeffery Lamar Williams) was booked into Georgia’s Fulton County Jail on charges of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and participation in criminal street-gang activity. Prosecutors allege Young Thug rented a vehicle used in the commission of the 2015 murder of Donovan Thomas, who is described in the indictment as a rival gang member. Allegedly, two YSL associates also sought Young Thug’s permission to make a murder attempt on YFN Lucci. Two months ago, YFN Lucci (real name Rayshawn Bennett) alleged he had been stabbed by an inmate at the Fulton County Jail, where he awaits trial for a murder case. The two Atlanta rappers have had beef since 2017, when Young Thug compared himself to Tupac.
Meanwhile, Gunna (real name Sergio Giavanni Kitchens) faces one count of conspiring to violate the RICO Act and has reportedly not been taken into custody. In the indictment, prosecutors referenced Gunna’s appearance in a social-media video featuring the lyrics “We got ten-hundred round choppers†and in which he wore “YSL†and “Slatt†pendants. The citation of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal cases has been controversial, with artists such as Jay-Z and Meek Mill urging courts to limit the practice.
This post has been updated throughout.