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Young Thug, initially arrested in May 2022, was released from custody on Thursday (October 31) following a two-year detention over accusations of violating Georgia's anti-racketeering laws.
After plea negotiations with the prosecution fell through, Young Thug, whose legal name is Jeffery Williams, together with his legal team submitted a non-negotiation plea deal that waived his right to a jury trial.
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Judge Paige Reese Whitaker accepted the deal, sentencing Williams to 15 years of probation with specific conditions, which includes a potential 20-year prison sentence for violations.
Several well-known rappers and frequent collaborators took to social media to congratulate Williams on his release, with many sharing supportive posts for the YSL CEO in their Instagram stories.
Nicki Minaj posted a photo of herself with Thug, followed by a statement welcoming him home and highlighting how much hip-hop has missed his presence, saying that "people need" him.
Kanye West, a longtime supporter of Young Thug, even included him as a guest feature on his second collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign, Vultures 2, reposted Williams' release announcement on his Instagram story.
Drake uploaded a screenshot of his and Thug's collaboration on Parade on Cleveland, which was included in the latter's third studio album Business Is Business released in 2023.
Travis Scott and Trippie Redd were found posting pictures of Thug, celebrating the rapper "coming home" after his involvement in Georgia's longest-running criminal trial.
Some hip-hop artists even took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their love and appreciation for Thug's release on probation.
"Praise God!" - Kid Cudi reposts a Young Thug release announcement post.
"Praise be to Allah they let this man come home. Be Great Slime." - Jay Electronica tweeted.
"Welcome Home lil bruddah. It's been too long... Time to get back to it!!!" - T.I. stated.
"THEY LET TWIN OUT!!!" - Sexyy Red tweeted.
"THUG FREE WHAT A DAY !!!!!!" - DJ Mustard stated.
Fellow Atlanta native Metro Boomin, took to Instagram to post multiple pictures of Thug, one of which included a photograph of the rapper seated in court smiling alongside his attorney Brian Steel.
"This is more than what we prayed for" - Young Thug's girlfriend Mariah the Scientist issues public statement
Young Thug's girlfriend, Mariah Amani Buckles, popularly known as Mariah the Scientist celebrated Jeffery Williams' release on Thursday after he accepted a non-negotiation plea deal with Georgia State.
With Thug initially facing up to 125 years in prison to now being released on a 15-year probation, with 5 years commuted, Mariah was overjoyed with Williams' release from the YSL RICO trial.
Today (November 01) WSB-TV reporter Michael Seiden, took to X, to state that he had reached out to Mariah for a statement. The singer highlighted her gratitude by thanking god when she said:
"Thank you, God. Thank you, God. This is more than what we prayed for. We are so grateful, this is the greatest opportunity we've ever been presented with and we are so grateful."
The singer expressed appreciation for everyone involved in Williams' release, thanking Judge Whitaker for allowing Williams' and his family to "move forward" with their lives. Mariah also included a special shoutout to Young Thug's legal team Brian Steel and Keith Adams.
"Thank you Brian Steel and Keith Adams and every attorney working on this case, tireless. Thank you"
Mariah the Scientist was announced, alongside Karahboo, to be part of the line-up for Latto's North American Sugar Honey Iced Tea tour. On the day of Young Thug's release, Mariah performed live at the Barclays Arena in Brooklyn, New York.
"I wanna thank [god] for our family and friends. I wanna thank [god] for Jeff and our relationship... This has been a long time coming and it has been really hard." - Mariah the Scientist stated.
The singer took a moment of out her set to praise god, thank fans, and express her gratitude for Thug being released from prison after two years. Mariah also addressed critics, who were "laughing" at her relationship with Jeffery Williams, saying:
"There were people who were tellin' me I would never see him again. People were laughing at me and at the situation, making fun of us. All you motherf--kers who doubted me and said this n---a is never coming back, f--k all y'all. What you gon say now b---h."
Although Young Thug is now free, the plea deal does impose several restrictions on the rapper which includes not entering Atlanta's metro area for the first 10 years of his probation.
However, Judge Whitaker did inform the rapper he must visit the city quarterly to deliver anti-gang and anti-gun violence presentations for schools and community organizations. These visits will be counted toward his annual 100-hour community service requirement.
Young Thug must also distance himself and avoid other co-defendants and witnesses involved in the YSL RICO trial.
The rapper did request for an exception to be made for his brother Quantavius Greer, and fellow YSL rapper Gunna, who is still contractually obligated under the record label.
