Atlanta rapper Young Thug faces new charges in RICO case

ATLANTA — Atlanta rapper Young Thug, charged with conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO Act and participation in a criminal street gang, faces six new felony charges, along with four others linked to the case.

A new charge was filed last week in Fulton County Superior Court against the artist, whose real name is Jeffery Williams. He is now charged with participating in street gang criminal activity, violating the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, possessing a firearm while committing a felony, possessing a machine gun and possessing drugs, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The new charges stem from what investigators discovered during Williams’ arrest on the original May 9 indictment at his home in Atlanta’s upscale Buckhead neighborhood, authorities said.

The initial indictment contained 56 charges against 28 people for alleged involvement in crimes committed on behalf of the street gang Young Slime Life. The updated indictment now contains 65 counts, six of which are for Williams.

At the time of Williams’ arrest, there was question of whether the new charges would be included in the RICO case. The court records now show that this happened.

Williams’ attorney Brian Steel said his client is innocent and looks forward to challenging the charges in court.

“Mr. Williams has committed absolutely no crimes,” Steel told the newspaper on Wednesday. “We can’t wait for a trial date.”

Williams, along with rapper Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Kitchens, remains in prison after bail was refused for both earlier this year. Steel said another hearing for Williams is scheduled for next week. A preliminary trial date has been set for January 9, 2023.

Martinez Arnold, aka Duke, and Deamonte Kendrick, aka Yak Gotti, face additional charges, including participation in street gang criminal activity, violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, possession of a firearm while committing a crime and owning a machine gun. Kendrick has also been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Shannon Stillwell and Quamarvious Nichols were charged one more time with gun possession by a convicted felon in connection with the death of Shymel Drinks on March 18.

Arnold’s attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, told WSB-TV she is confident her client will not be convicted. She said he will plead not guilty to the new charges, as he has already done to the original charges.

The charges revolve around Young Slime Life, an alleged prosecutor for a gang formed by Williams and two others in Atlanta with ties to the National Bloods gang.

Young Thug co-wrote the hit “This is America” ​​with Childish Gambino and made history when it became the first hip-hop track to win the Song of the Year Grammy in 2019.