| YSL Records racketeering trial | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Court | Superior Court of Fulton County |
| Full case name | State of Georgia vs. Jeffery Williams et al. |
| Started | November 27, 2023 |
| Charge | Conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act |
| Court membership | |
| Judges sitting |
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The YSL Records racketeering trial is an ongoing criminal case in Fulton County, Georgia, which involves American rapper Young Thug (born Jeffery Williams) and several associates from his record label, YSL Records (Young Stoner Life Records).[1][2] The trial began on November 27, 2023, following a May 2022 indictment that charged 28 individuals associated with YSL under Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.[3] Prosecutors alleged that YSL functions as a criminal street gang while simultaneously operating as a hip hop music record label.[4] Fulton County Chief Judge Ural D. Glanville presided over the case until he was recused after complaints were registered about a secret meeting he held with prosecutors and a key witness. Glanville was replaced with Judge Paige Reese Whitaker.[5]
While numerous affiliates were removed from the case through actions such as taking probation and plea deals,[6] Thug and five other individuals remain as defendants in the trial and have been denied bond numerous times,[7] with all of them facing multiple charges of racketeering, drug possession, and participation in criminal street gang activity, among other minor charges.[8] The case has been the longest criminal trial in Georgia's state history.[9][10] Many fellow artists, such as Travis Scott, Drake, Future, 21 Savage, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Kanye West, Ty Dolla Sign and Post Malone have shown support for Thug during the case through songs and social media posts.[11][12]
- ^ Coscarelli, Joe (December 12, 2023). "Young Thug's YSL RICO Trial: What to Know". The New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ Brasch, Ben; Scribner, Herb (June 12, 2024). "The chaos unfolding at Young Thug's trial, explained". Washington Post. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (April 8, 2024). "A Timeline of Young Thug's YSL RICO Trial". Billboard. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ Rosario, Alexandra Del (November 27, 2023). "Young Thug's RICO trial has finally started. What you need to know". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ Dillon, Nancy (19 July 2024). "Young Thug Trial 'Moving Forward' Under New Judge, Defense Wants Prosecutors 'Removed'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ Lupiani, Joyce (30 June 2024). "YSL defendants in court: Several remaining defendants reject plea deals". FOX 5 Atlanta. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ Dillon, Nancy (19 August 2022). "Young Thug Denied Bond For Third Time At Heated Hearing". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ Burga, Solcyré (July 17, 2024). "Here's Where Young Thug's Trial Stands". Time. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ Dillon, Nancy (July 19, 2024). "Young Thug's YSL Racketeering Trial: What's Going On and Will It Ever End?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ Coscarelli, Joe (August 12, 2024). "What Happens Now in Young Thug's YSL Trial?". The New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (9 May 2024). "24 Rappers Who Have Mentioned Young Thug Since His Arrest". XXL Mag. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ ""Free Thug"- Pop Icon Post Malone Names Young Thug His Favorite Artist of All Time, Calls for His Release Amid Trial". Netflix Junkie. 2024-09-07. Retrieved 2024-09-07.