Everything We Know About the YSL RICO Case
One month after becoming entangled in the sprawling YSL RICO case, Young Thug delivered a heartfelt plea from behind bars. Speaking in a prerecorded message screened at Hot 97’s Summer Jam in June of the previous year, he conveyed, “You know, this isn’t just about me or YSL.”
He continued, “I’ve always used my music as a means of artistic expression, and I now see that Black artists and rappers don’t have that freedom. Everyone, please sign the Protect Black Art petition and continue to pray for us. I love you all,” he concluded.
The “Petition to Protect Black Art” is a document co-authored by Kevin Liles, the co-founder and CEO of 300 Entertainment, who initially signed Young Thug and played a pivotal role in establishing his label YSL as a subsidiary company. Julie Greenwald, the COO of Atlanta Records, also had a hand in crafting this document. The petition urges both federal and state legislators to pass bills that restrict the use of rap lyrics as evidence in a court of law.
Young Thug’s plea came on the heels of a complex RICO case consisting of 56 counts, targeting Thug, Gunna, and 26 members of their Young Stoner Life collective. The 88-page grand-jury indictment portrays YSL, short for “Young Slime Life,” as a “criminal street gang” and cites 182 instances of the collective’s involvement in gang activity and criminal conspiracies. Evidence includes lyrics, social media posts, as well as clothing and accessories featuring the word “SLIME.”
Atlanta’s Fulton County grand jury charged some individuals with violent crimes, such as attempted armed robbery and murder. The YSL RICO case unfolds against the backdrop of a 60 percent surge in violent crime in Atlanta, which Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has pledged to combat.
Furthermore, it has sent shockwaves throughout the hip-hop community, with many arguing that this trial represents yet another instance of the criminal justice system unjustly linking rappers to violent crimes through their artistic expression.
A little over seven months after his arrest in May, Gunna walked free on December 14, 2022, after both he and Young Thug were denied bond multiple times. The rapper pleaded guilty to a charge of racketeering conspiracy in what is known as an Alford plea — a deal that allows him to plead guilty if it’s in his interest while maintaining his innocence.
His five-year sentence was commuted to time served and 500 hours of community service as part of the deal. Days later, seven other defendants took plea deals and were released from jail just ahead of the New Year. As of November, many of the original defendants had their cases separated from the trial, four did not have legal representation, and two had not been arrested by early January. Right now, there are currently six defendants remaining in the YSL trial.
Young Thug, on the other hand, remains incarcerated and is one of the six defendants standing trial, with opening statements scheduled to begin on November 27. Meanwhile, Thug may have caught another case: Fulton County prosecutors allege co-defendant Kahlieff Adams attempted to hand the “Hot” rapper a Percocet in open court on January 20.
The Grammy Award–winning artist’s lawyer denies Young Thug’s involvement in the alleged drug deal. As January came to a close, a YSL Mondo, a label co-founder, publicized his past relationship with the current district attorney Willis, who served as his defense lawyer during a 2019 aggravated assault trial and helped keep him out of jail.
Though there was a possibility Young Thug could get out on bond in recent weeks, Judge Ural Glanville denied the rapper bond for the third time, citing the threat of witness intimidation, the threat of fleeing, and dangers to the community in a hearing on July 21.
The judge agreed to reconsider Yak Gotti’s bond that same day; however, he was denied bond as well. Below is everything you need to know about the case, updated as it develops — from the people involved to a summary of the charges and the cited lyrics.
What’s the current status of the trial?
After six months of trial proceedings, a jury has finally been chosen, marking a significant step in the case. The court has dedicated a substantial amount of time to address the hardship excuses provided by over 2,000 potential jurors. Some of these individuals expressed concerns that serving on the lengthy trial, which is expected to extend into the next year, would have adverse effects on their jobs and families, as reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
In a modest sign of progress, it appears that the court completed the review of these hardship cases in July. By November 1, a jury was successfully selected. In the meantime, Young Thug faced his third bond denial on July 21, indicating that he is likely to remain in custody throughout the trial, unless the judge decides to revisit the bond issue. Yak Gotti’s pre-trial release was also reevaluated on the same day, but he too was denied bond.
In April, the rappers’ legal representatives filed a new motion seeking their release on bond, citing challenging conditions as the basis for their request.
Who’s Involved?
The grand-jury indictment has identified Young Thug, Gunna, and 26 other associates as members of the “criminal street gang” known as YSL, which stands for Young Slime Life. Young Thug, a prominent figure in Atlanta’s vibrant rap scene, is alleged to be the founder of this street gang, which was established in the city in 2012.
The prosecution claims that YSL has affiliations with the national Bloods gang, and some of its associates assert ties to Bloods subset gangs such as Sex Money Murder or 30 Deep. Young Thug founded the record label Young Stoner Life in 2016 as a subsidiary of 300 Entertainment, and YSL Records refers to its roster of artists as the “Slime Family.” In addition to Gunna, the indictment also named rappers Lil Duke, Yak Gotti, and Young Thug’s brother Unfoonk.
Fani Willis serves as the district attorney overseeing the case. She is a Democrat known for her previous investigation into allegations of election fraud involving former President Trump and his team in Georgia. In a press conference in May 2022, Willis stated, “It does not matter what your notoriety is or what your fame is.
If you come to Fulton County, Georgia, and commit crimes, especially if those crimes are connected to a street gang, you will be the target and focus of this district attorney’s office, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.” She emphasized her belief that gangs are responsible for a significant portion of the violent crime occurring in the community, estimating that they are involved in “conservatively 75 to 80 percent of all the violent crime that we’re seeing within our community,” and she expressed the need to address this issue.
Brian Steel, the attorney representing Young Thug, strongly refutes the characterization of YSL as a criminal street gang. Steel conveyed to the New York Times, “Mr. Williams came from an incredibly difficult upbringing, and his conduct throughout his life is truly remarkable. He has not committed any crimes whatsoever.”
Gunna’s guilty plea, on the other hand, is seen as a public acknowledgment of his “association with YSL.” Gunna emphasized that his connection is purely related to music and maintained his innocence despite entering a plea deal. He clarified his stance, stating, “While I have agreed to always be truthful, I want to make it perfectly clear that I have NOT made any statements, have NOT been interviewed, have NOT cooperated, have NOT agreed to testify or be a witness for or against any party in the case and have absolutely NO intention of being involved in the trial process in any way,” as he communicated to WSB and other media outlets.
In December, seven other defendants accepted plea deals. They each pleaded guilty to a racketeering charge and acknowledged that YSL functioned as both a music collective and a criminal street gang, as per the terms of their agreements. YSL co-founder Walter Murphy entered a guilty plea to a single count of conspiracy to violate the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and received a ten-year prison sentence, with one year commuted to time served and nine years of probation as part of the deal.
Unfoonk, Lil Duke, Slimelife Shawty, Antonio Sledge, Trontavious “Tick” Stephens, and Antonio “Obama” Sumlin reached similar agreements, with some pleading guilty to additional charges. Sledge and Stephens are obligated to testify truthfully if called upon for the trial.
Derontae Bebee and Tenquarius Mender initially rejected plea deals, but Bebee accepted a plea agreement in November 2023 and was sentenced to 15 years, comprising five years in prison and ten on probation. Unfoonk, despite initially accepting a plea deal in December, was rearrested in May 2023 when a firearm was discovered in his car. He received a sentence of more than nine years in prison for violating his probation. During questioning, Slimelife Shawty, also known as Wunnie Lee, was asked if YSL members had committed various acts in the name of YSL, including murder, aggravated assault, robbery, theft, and illegal firearms possession, to which he responded affirmatively, stating, “Yes, ma’am.”
What Are the Charges?
All 28 individuals named in the indictment have been charged with conspiracy to violate the state Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, by engaging in a pattern of illegal activities aimed at gaining money and property. The Georgia RICO law closely mirrors its federal counterpart and was designed to target large criminal organizations like the mafia.
Fani Willis, the district attorney, has a history of seeking RICO charges, having previously argued that Atlanta public-school teachers, accused of cheating on standardized tests, were part of a racketeering conspiracy in 2014. In her investigation into former President Trump, she suggested that he and his associates may have violated the state RICO law in their alleged attempts to commit election fraud in 2020.
The prosecution alleges that the YSL collective was involved in a wide range of criminal activities. The 56-count indictment accuses YSL members of murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft, drug trafficking, carjacking, and witness intimidation.
Notably, the indictment paints Young Thug as somewhat of a mob boss, alleging that he committed multiple crimes for which he is not being charged. While Young Thug is not facing charges for these “overt acts,” which include possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and threats to kill an individual at a mall, they support the claim that the collective engaged in a criminal conspiracy.
Other serious allegations include Young Thug’s alleged involvement in renting a car used in the murder of Donovan Thomas Jr., a rival gang leader, in January 2015. Five YSL members, including Yak Gotti, were charged with murder in connection to Thomas’s death.
Furthermore, three YSL members were charged with attempted murder in connection to an attack on rapper YFN Lucci, who was stabbed in jail in February 2022. In April 2021, Fulton County charged YFN Lucci and 11 other suspects in a 75-page, 105-count racketeering indictment. YFN Lucci is currently in jail awaiting trial.
Young Thug faced seven additional felony charges following a reported police raid of his Buckhead residence after his arrest on May 9, 2022. The new charges include possession of drugs with the intent to distribute, possession of firearms, and three counts of being a person employed or associated with a criminal street gang to conduct or participate in criminal gang activity through the commission of a crime.
Gunna has been charged with one count of racketeering. According to the indictment, he allegedly received stolen property and was in possession of drugs, including methamphetamine, marijuana, and hydrocodone, with the intent to distribute. He was arrested on May 11, 2022.
The judge denied multiple bond requests for both Young Thug and Gunna, citing concerns about witness intimidation and the potential for additional criminal activity. In July 2022, the judge ordered that defense lawyers were not to share witnesses’ contact information with their clients.
The prosecution alleged that Young Thug and his associates had been threatening witnesses and expressed concerns for their safety, as well as the safety of their families, should they testify. Defense attorney Brian Steel denied any witness tampering but expressed the desire to receive the discovery materials to continue their pursuit of clearing Young Thug.
Gunna was denied bond for the second time in July 2022, with the judge refusing to reconsider the original decision made in May. Gunna’s co-lead counsel, Steve Sadow, criticized the prosecution for providing no evidence and relying on vague and nonspecific allegations and speculation.
District Attorney Willis filed a motion in August 2022, requesting that the judge order defense attorneys to refrain from sharing discovery materials, including witness information, with anyone outside their legal teams. She expressed concerns about the safety of named witnesses and potential witnesses due to information from the state’s discovery material appearing on public websites.
Young Thug was denied bond again in August 2022, following an associate planning to testify against him entering protective custody after his identity was exposed in document leaks on blogs. The judge also considered further restrictions on evidence disclosure for the sake of witness safety.
Gunna, who was initially expected to remain in jail until his trial, was released on December 14, 2022, after pleading guilty under the terms of an Alford plea deal. Despite this plea, Gunna maintains his innocence and will testify if summoned to court but has the option to plead the fifth.
Seven additional defendants entered plea deals and were released at the same time. Four of the defendants did not have legal representation during the trial, while two others had not been arrested by that point. Currently, there are six defendants facing trial.
What does Lil Wayne have to do with the case?
Peewee Roscoe, whose real name is Jimmy Carlton Winfrey, was charged with aggravated assault in connection with a shooting incident involving Lil Wayne’s tour bus in 2015. In the original indictment, Young Thug and Birdman were initially listed as co-conspirators, but they were never charged with any crimes related to the shooting incident. Roscoe, who had been previously sentenced to ten years in prison for his involvement in the shooting incident, was released in 2020.
The YSL indictment now includes Roscoe as one of the named individuals facing charges related to various criminal activities, including racketeering. This marks a new development in the legal proceedings involving Young Thug and other YSL associates.
How are song lyrics being used as evidence?
The use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials has been a contentious and recurring issue in the legal system. While some experts argue that it can infringe upon free speech rights, it’s not a new practice. Several notable hip-hop artists, including Boosie, Bobby Shmurda, Drakeo the Ruler, and 6ix9ine, have had their lyrics presented as evidence against them in court.
The outcomes of such cases have varied. Boosie and Drakeo the Ruler were acquitted, while others, like Bobby Shmurda and 6ix9ine, were not as fortunate. In January 2021, Maryland ruled that rap lyrics could be considered as evidence of guilt in a trial.
More recently, prominent artists, including Jay-Z, voiced their support for Senate Bill S7527, a proposed New York law known as “Rap Music on Trial.” This bill aims to restrict the use of lyrics in criminal trials, addressing concerns about the potential misinterpretation and misapplication of rap lyrics as evidence of criminal activity.
In the YSL case, prosecutors have used multiple songs as evidence to support their claims of gang affiliation and racketeering activity, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding the use of rap lyrics in the legal system.
How is the music industry reacting?
The hip-hop community has rallied in support of Young Thug and Gunna, demonstrating solidarity with the artists facing legal challenges. Artists like Drake have used their music and public presence to reference the case and show support. In Drake’s song “Sticky” from his album “Honestly, Nevermind,” he alludes to the situation with the lyrics, “Hey yo Eric, bring them girls to the stage, ’cause/Somebody’s getting paid and/Free Big Slime out the cage.” Additionally, in the music video for the track “Falling Back,” Drake included a title card reading “Free YSL.”
Killer Mike, in an interview with ABC News, highlighted the broader implications of the case and the use of rap lyrics in court proceedings. He emphasized that hip-hop artists are often not fully recognized as artists and individuals, and he expressed concerns about the legal system prosecuting artists based on the personas they create and the fictional stories they tell in their music. His remarks shed light on the larger issue of how the legal system approaches and interprets the art form of hip-hop and its creators.
What’s 300 Entertainment’s involvement?
The distributor behind Young Stoner Life Records, including 300 Entertainment and Atlantic Records, has actively supported both Gunna and Young Thug throughout their legal challenges. After Young Thug’s bail hearing, the co-founder of 300 Entertainment (now 300 Elektra Entertainment, following a recent merger) and Atlantic Records took significant steps to advocate for change in the legal system. They promoted the “Petition to Protect Black Art,” which calls upon federal and state legislators to pass bills that would limit the admissibility of rap lyrics as evidence in court proceedings.
Furthermore, 300 Entertainment organized an audio recording of Young Thug, where he encouraged people to sign the petition. This recording was shared with an audience at Hot 97’s Summer Jam. The company also facilitated the distribution of Gunna’s open letter to his fans and the general public.
In the letter, Gunna expressed his commitment to using his artistic talents as a means of positive change in his life and emphasized his innocence in the legal matters he is facing. This support from the music industry showcases a unified effort to address issues related to the use of rap lyrics in legal proceedings and to stand by the artists during their legal challenges.
Did Gunna confess?
Gunna did not confess to the alleged crimes he was charged with. He entered an Alford plea, which allows a defendant to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that there is potential evidence against them that could result in a guilty verdict if taken to trial. In this case, Gunna pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy as part of the plea deal, and his sentence was commuted to time served.
Despite not technically confessing, there has been some controversy and backlash within the hip-hop community regarding Gunna’s decision to accept the plea deal. Some individuals within the industry have expressed disappointment or concerns about the implications of his plea. This has led to speculation and discussions about whether he cooperated with law enforcement or provided information related to YSL as part of the plea agreement.
Gunna addressed these allegations on Instagram, where he defended his loyalty to YSL and refuted the “snitch” claims. He emphasized his commitment to the label and expressed his desire for the unity of the YSL team. The situation has generated various reactions and discussions within the hip-hop community.
It’s been confirmed by a source close to Gunna that he will not testify against his YSL co-defendants. Gunna’s Alford plea only pertains to his individual case, which means that the statements made during his plea hearing cannot be used against the others on trial. If called to the stand, Gunna retains the right to plead the fifth, allowing him to refuse to answer questions that may incriminate himself.
In his 2023 album “A Gift and a Curse,” Gunna addresses his legal trial in several songs, including “bread & butter,” “idk nomore,” and “back at it.” These tracks offer a glimpse into his experiences with prosecutors, his sense of isolation from former collaborators, and his reflections on the interrogations that led him to make certain decisions, as well as how he may have been influenced during that time. The album provides a personal and introspective look at his perspective on the legal situation.
Did Young Thug attempt a drug deal in court?
Young Thug faced allegations from prosecutors of receiving a Percocet pill while in open court. However, his lawyer, Brian Steel, firmly denied these accusations, asserting that Mr. Williams (Young Thug) was cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation into the incident. Steel explained, “The responsible parties were charged and appeared in court for first appearances this morning.”
The incident in question, as outlined in a motion filed on January 19, alleged that co-defendant Kahlieff Adams passed the Percocet to Young Thug in a manner that was captured by the courtroom surveillance cameras. The legal proceedings and allegations surrounding the case have added further complexity and attention to the ongoing legal challenges facing Young Thug and his co-defendants.
Was Fani Willis a lawyer for YSL Mondo?
Before Fani Willis was elected to the position of Fulton County district attorney, she served as YSL Mondo’s defense attorney. YSL Mondo, a co-founder of Young Stoner Life Records, previously had a disagreement with Young Thug, but they have since reconciled their relationship. In a January 25 report by Rolling Stone, YSL Mondo shared his perspective on Willis, asserting that her actions in the YSL case are inconsistent with her character.
YSL Mondo mentioned having personal, mentor-like conversations with Willis, describing them as “auntie-to-nephew, mother-to-son type of talks.” He expressed his belief that the case involves political motivations and external influences beyond Willis. Willis seemed to confirm her prior representation of Mondo, as reported by Rolling Stone.
Notably, Fani Willis is known for her use of RICO charges to prosecute individuals allegedly affiliated with gangs to the fullest extent of the law. However, YSL Mondo recalled a different experience with Willis when she served as his defense attorney during an aggravated assault case in 2019. In that case, she was able to reduce his charges and have him sentenced to a program instead of prison. He considered her a “great attorney” at the time and characterized their relationship as “cool.”
Mondo also recalled that during their final interaction, Willis hinted at her plans to run for the position of head district attorney. She warned him not to tarnish her name, stating that she was about to embark on a political campaign. When questioned about this conversation, Willis stated that the comments “sound like me, but I do not recall the conversation verbatim.”
Mondo expressed his surprise at seeing Willis on television announcing the YSL indictments last spring, indicating that he had not kept in touch with her after his trial. The complex and evolving dynamics between individuals involved in the YSL case and the legal system have added further intrigue to the ongoing legal proceedings.
What’s next?
Young Thug has been in custody since his arrest in May, and the trial has faced significant challenges in selecting a jury due to its anticipated length. Over 2,000 potential jurors have been summoned, making it difficult to find individuals willing to serve given the trial’s expected duration. The trial has been reported as potentially becoming the longest in Georgia’s history. Opening statements are currently estimated to begin on November 27.
Young Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steel, filed an emergency motion in May 2022, expressing concerns about the rapper’s harsh jail conditions, which he described as “inhumane.” Steel requested bond for Thug, but this request has been denied. In the motion, Steel detailed the conditions in which Thug was detained, including solitary confinement, lack of access to media or human contact, and constant overhead lighting. Gunna, another artist involved in the case, also shared an open letter on Instagram addressing poor jail conditions.
The YSL case has sparked discussions about the conflation of gang activity with rap music by authorities in Fulton County. Some experts argue that the use of RICO laws, originally designed for organized crime like the Mafia, against young Black males in the rap industry who are not part of any criminal enterprise is problematic. The use of RICO in such cases can lead to severe legal consequences.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has expressed her intention to continue using rap lyrics as evidence in criminal proceedings, emphasizing that if individuals admit to crimes in their lyrics, she will utilize those lyrics as evidence. Despite some legal experts and legislators proposing bills at the state and federal levels to limit the use of rap lyrics as evidence, Willis remains committed to her stance on the issue.
