Young Thug Enters Guilty Plea In Long-Running RICO Trial

Young Thug attends the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on October 01, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

Young Thug has changed his plea to guilty in his longstanding RICO trial. According to NBC News, the rapper, legal name Jeffrey Lamar Williams, changed his stance on Thursday (Oct. 31), pending judge approval. The trial, which began with jury selection in January 2023, stands as the longest-running criminal trial in the state of Georgia.

The news outlet reported Court Judge Paige Whitaker asked if he agreed to a non-negotiated plea, meaning that prosecutors and the defense were not able to come to a sentencing deal and that the judge still has the final say.

— THUGGERDAILY ひ (@ThuggerDaily) October 31, 2024 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

On Tuesday (Oct. 29), Quamarvious Nichols, a codefendant, pleaded guilty to a single count of violating the state’s anti-racketeering laws in exchange for a 20-year sentence. Nichols will serve seven years, including two years for time served, before his sentencing, and 13 years of probation following his release after initially facing life in prison.

In exchange for Nichols’s plea, charges including murder and weapons possession were dropped.

According to Rolling Stone, two additional codefendants, Rodalius Ryan, 20, and Marquavius Huey, 28, each pleaded guilty under separate agreements that required no signed statement of facts and no agreement to testify against others on Wednesday (Oct. 30).

Ryan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO law and was immediately sentenced to 10 years, commuted to time served. Per RS, he already is serving a life sentence, with the possibility of parole, for the 2019 murder of Jamari Holmes.

Young Thug attends a release party for his new album “PUNK” at Delilah on October 12, 2021 in West Hollywood, California.

Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Huey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO act and additional charges, including robbery. Charges including allegations of hijacking and aggravated assault were dismissed. He was sentenced to 25 years, to be served as nine years in custody, nine on probation, and five years suspended.

With Williams’ plea, Deamonte “Yak Gotti” Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell remain. According to NBC News, it is not immediately clear whether the two remaining co-defendants have ongoing negotiations with prosecutors for similar plea deals, or have plans to continue with a trial.

This is a developing story. VIBE will update with additional coverage as available.

Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox