Georgia judge denies bail for Atlanta rapper Young Thug
ATLANTA – A Georgia judge on Thursday denied bail for Atlanta rapper Young Thug, who is awaiting trial after authorities alleged that the Grammy Award winner and his Young Slime Life syndicate were involved in gang-related activity.
At a hearing in Fulton County Superior Court, Judge Ural Glanville said that the rapper, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, constituted a flight risk, WSB-TV reported. The judge also was apparently swayed by arguments that Williams might intimidate witnesses if he was released, according to Billboard.
“I realize that Mr. Williams is presumed innocent,” Glanville said, according to the entertainment outlet. “However, in this particular circumstance there have been significant (claims) about Mr. Williams being a danger to the community.”
Williams was arrested on May 9 and 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, WSB reported. He was indicted on 56 counts alongside fellow YSL rappers including Sergio “Gunna” Kitchens, Rolling Stone reported.
The indictment 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.”
>> Rapper Young Thug arrested on gang charges in Atlanta
Williams appeared in a video from the Cobb County Jail during Thursday’s proceedings. Kevin Liles, the co-founder of 300 Entertainment, testified on behalf of the rapper, the magazine reported.
Brian Steel, Williams’ attorney, has 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,” Steel told WSB last month.
Williams’ trial is expected to begin on Jan. 9, 2023, Rolling Stone reported.
Here are some memorable photos of rapper 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.
2015: Young Thug performs at the Tabernacle on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, in Atlanta.
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.
2017: Young Thug celebrates Futures birthday at Versace Mansion on November 17, 2017, in Miami.
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.
2019: Bebe Rexha and Young Thug attend the 61st annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019, in Los Angeles.
2020: Young Thug attends the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles.
2021: Young Thug attends the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on October 1, 2021, in Atlanta.
2022: Young Thug attends Gunna’s DS4EVER LA Listening Party on January 6, 2022, in Los Angeles.
