Rapper Young Thug arrested on gang charges in Atlanta
ByMichelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
ByMichelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
ATLANTA — Rapper Young Thug is behind bars after authorities alleged that the Grammy Award winner and his Young Slime Life syndicate were involved in gang-related activity.
According to WSB-TV, the 30-year-old, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, was arrested early Monday afternoon at his home in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood. He was booked in the Fulton County Jail on charges of conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and participating in criminal street gang activity, the news outlet reported.
The 56-count indictment in Fulton County alleged that Williams and other YSL members “conspired to associate together and with others for the common purposes of illegally obtaining money and property through a pattern of racketeering activity, and conducting and participating in the enterprise through a pattern of racketeering.” According to the document, one of the group’s objectives was “preserving, protecting and enhancing the power and territory of the enterprise through acts of racketeering activity including murder, assault and threats of violence,” WSB-TV reported.
Overall, 28 people were named in the indictment, including rapper Sergio “Gunna” Kitchens, according to WSB-TV. Christian Eppinger, who was accused of shooting and seriously injuring an Atlanta police officer earlier this year, also was named, the news outlet reported.
Brian Steel, Williams’ attorney, denied the allegations against his client.
“Mr. Williams committed no crime whatsoever, and we will fight to my last drop of blood to clear him,” he told WSB-TV.
Police believe Williams and two others founded YSL, which began in late 2012, the news outlet reported. The group claims to be affiliated with the Bloods, police said.
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Photos: Young Thug through the years Here are some memorable photos of rapper Young Thug through the years. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
Photos: Young Thug through the years 2014: Rappers Meek Mill and Young Thug make a special appearance at the PUMA Lab Powered by Foot Locker at Foot Locker at the Gallery at South Dekalb Mall on February 6, 2014, in Atlanta. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images for PUMA)
Photos: Young Thug through the years 2015: Young Thug performs at the Tabernacle on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, in Atlanta. (Katie Darby/Invision/AP)
Photos: Young Thug through the years 2016: Recording artist Young Thug (left) and Jerrika Karlae attends the 2016 BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Young Thug through the years 2017: Young Thug celebrates Futures birthday at Versace Mansion on November 17, 2017, in Miami. (Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for Freebandz)
Photos: Young Thug through the years 2018: Kanye West, Kim Kardashian West, Young Thug, 2 Chainz and Kesha Ward attend the the Versace fall 2019 fashion show at the American Stock Exchange Building in lower Manhattan on December 2, 2018, in New York City. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
Photos: Young Thug through the years 2019: Bebe Rexha and Young Thug attend the 61st annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Rich Fury/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Photos: Young Thug through the years 2020: Young Thug attends the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Photos: Young Thug through the years 2021: Young Thug attends the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on October 1, 2021, in Atlanta. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Photos: Young Thug through the years 2022: Young Thug attends Gunna's DS4EVER LA Listening Party on January 6, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for DS4EVER Presented by Gunna, Young Stoner Life Records, 300 Entertainment)
