Young Thug. Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET
Young Thug a.k.a. Jeffery Lamar Williams has been arrested and charged with racketeering. The Atlanta rapper was taken into custody on Monday and is currently being held in jail in Fulton County, records show. He is accused of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and participation in criminal street gang activity.
Michael Seiden, a reporter for WSBTV in Atlanta, initially reported the 56-count grand jury indictment on Monday evening. Williams is reportedly named along with 28 members of his label and rap collective YSL (Young Slime Life / Young Stoner Life / Young Slatt Life). Gunna is also reportedly charged with one count of conspiracy to violate RICO.
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The document alleges that YSL is "a criminal street gang" that "claims affiliation with the national Bloods gang." According to the indictment, Williams is accused of renting a 2014 Infiniti Q50 which was allegedly used in the murder of a rival gang member.
Brian Steel, an attorney for Williams, claimed innocence on behalf of his client. “I’ll tell you the response to any allegation," Steel said, "Mr. Williams committed no crime whatsoever and we will fight to my last drop of blood to clear him.”
The FADER has reached out to Williams' representatives for more information. He will reportedly make his first court appearance on Tuesday, May 10 at 11:30 a.m. EST.
