On Monday *May 10), Atlanta rapper Young Thug was among 28 individuals who were arrested and hit with RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) conspiracy charges. Everyone was indicted by a grand jury and stands accused of being part of a street gang, with fellow rapper Gunna among those charged.
Thugger got pinched in his own crib.
Reports the New York Times:
Mr. Williams has reshaped the rap world throughout his decade-plus career and inspired a host of emulators as he earned three No. 1 albums on the Billboard chart and collaborated with stars across the rap world and beyond. His arrest comes as District Attorney Fani Willis of Fulton County — a Democrat best known for investigating whether former President Donald J. Trump and his allies committed election fraud in Georgia — has vowed to crack down on street gangs in Atlanta, a city reeling from violent crime.
The arrest of Mr. Williams at his house in the well-heeled Buckhead neighborhood was confirmed on Monday night by Jeff DiSantis, a spokesman for Ms. Willis’s office, who said that several other people named in the indictment were also arrested.
The 56 count indictment accuses Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, of being the founder of Young Slime Life, which the DA contends is a criminal street gang that was founded in Atlanta in 2012, and is also allegedly affiliated with the Bloods. From the charges, it seems that Thugger’s YSL Records label is merely a shell company for a criminal activity, that also happened to be a music industry success story.
Twitter is clearly having a field day with the revelations as we await more details about what exactly Thugger and his crew have been accused of. Also worth mention is that when the DA brings down RICO charges on you, which have been used to take down organized crime, it means they have goods on you.
Thuger’s attorney is already vehemently deny the charges.
.@youngthug defense attorney speaks with my colleague @MarkWinneWSB:
“I’ll tell you the response to any allegation; Mr. Williams committed no crime whatsoever and we will fight to my last drop of blood to clear him.”
-Defense attorney Brian Steel pic.twitter.com/X7wXePahtf
— Michael Seiden (@SeidenWSBTV) May 10, 2022
Per WSB-TV, Thug is due in court on Tuesday, May 10, at 11:30 am.
JUST IN: @youngthug booked into @FultonSheriff on charges of Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act & Participation in Criminal Street Gang Activity. He will make his first appearance on Tuesday at 1130 am. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/LRSeus8Lsc
— Michael Seiden (@SeidenWSBTV) May 10, 2022
Check out some of the more poignant reactions helow.
This story is developing.
BREAKING: Rappers @youngthug ,@1GunnaGunna among 28 defendants charged in 56 count indictment in Fulton County. My colleague @MarkWinneWSB & I have exclusive details. @wsbtv
— Michael Seiden (@SeidenWSBTV) May 10, 2022
1.
Young Thug and Gunna got RICO charges ???? this is bad….. really bad…….
— Ahmed/Former CNN+ Employee (@big_business_) May 10, 2022
2.
I’m thinking of Young Thug’s son who just lost his mom. I hope he’s surrounded by love, care, support and stability right now.
— damita jo (@KiaSpeaks) May 10, 2022
3.
Free Thug
— BASED SAVAGE (@crackcobain__) May 10, 2022
4.
Feds got Young Thug , Gunna & all of YSL on a Rico charge pic.twitter.com/TsZfdHPzFE
— FREE YSL (@drinkwaternigga) May 10, 2022
5.
gunna and young thug???? 56 COUNTS????? pic.twitter.com/Qb2DUhN5bs
— prejudice against big naturals (@dontcallmesov) May 10, 2022
6.
The Feds calling YSL a Criminal Gang.. indicted 28 of them on RICO charges and basically say they killed someone in 2015 and claim Young Thug rented the car that the killers drove to do the murder. This is serious. wow.
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) May 10, 2022
7.
Free the political prisoner Young Thug held captive by an unjust government
— the vibe formerly known as julian (@ech0astral) May 10, 2022
8.
the young thug news made me slide down the wall
— Mowgli (@fbgwayno) May 10, 2022
9.
biden should free young thug
— hasanabi (@hasanthehun) May 10, 2022
10.
Thug just buried his BM & his 2 closest friends. Now he’s facing RICO charges. Ain’t nun bout dat funny fr fr
— 404Lo (@404_MyCity) May 10, 2022
11.
Young Thug and Gunna charged in a 56 count indictment pic.twitter.com/y1AX29NtS8
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 10, 2022