Gunna finally released from jail, but Young Thug’s case is looking more dismal than ever
Gunna, who was arrested as part of a RICO case against the Young Stoner Life (YSL) gang, was released from jail Wednesday after entering a plea deal on a racketeering conspiracy charge.
The rapper, real name Sergio Kitchens, was sentenced to five years in prison with four years suspended, according to WSB-TV Channel 2 in Atlanta. The one-year sentence was then commuted to time served, with conditions that include 500 hours of community service.
According to attorney Steve Saddow, the rapper’s sentence will be completed after finishing his community service. Other terms of the sentence include staying away from guns and his co-defendants unless communicating via his attorney’s or record label and will include 350 hours speaking to young men and women about the “hazards and immorality” of gangs and gang violence.
Gunna entered what’s known as an Alford plea, which allows a person to plead guilty — while still maintaining innocence — if it’s believed the prosecution’s evidence would likely result in a guilty verdict at trial.
“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,” the rapper said in a statement obtained by the Los Angeles Times.
A 56-count grand jury indictment in May identified Gunna, Young Thug – real name Jeffery Lamar Williams – and 26 others as members of YSL. Some of the defendants were charged with violent crimes such as murder and attempted armed robbery. Authorities have said Williams and Kitchens are leaders in the gang, but their attorneys have contested the charges for months, the AJC reported.
Last week, a grand jury charged the 31-year-old with four additional counts related to a May 2021 incident where he allegedly drove 120 miles per hour on an Atlanta freeway, FOX5 Atlanta reported Tuesday.
The founder of YSL is also accused of illegally possessing multiple firearms, including a modified machine gun, in addition to street gang activity and drug trafficking.
In June, a judge denied bond and an elaborate house arrest plan. Several factors were taken into consideration, including a threat introduced to the court attributed to Williams from 2015 that states, “Anybody goes into the courtroom and tells the god’s honest truth, they’ll be fucking killed.” The judge said the validity of that threat would need to be proven in court, but it speaks to his possibly being a danger to the community.
If convicted of a RICO charge, Williams could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. He remains in jail, pending trial, with jury selection set for January.
