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Jeffery Lamar Williams, a.k.a. Young Thug, gave an inspiring speech to law students. The rapper, who accepted a plea deal in his YSL Rico trial on Thursday, October 31, 2024, spoke to students at Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia, through a FaceTime call facilitated by his attorney, Brian Steel, who was visiting the university.
In videos circulating on social media, the Heroes & Villians artist can be heard telling the class:
"I think it’s very, very, very important to be a lawyer over anything. Lawyers and doctors are the two greatest things that were ever founded. You actually help people. That’s doing the real God work."
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As the clips of Young Thug's speech went viral, internet users were quick to react. One user noted that community service was a part of his plea deal, stating:
"Doing his community service."
Many made quips suggesting that the YSL case made Brian Steel rich. Some pointed out that even if he made money out of it, he was dedicated to his client as he served jail time after confronting a judge (who was later removed from the case).
Several others praised Williams' speech.
Young Thug's plea deal includes 100 hours of community service
In his speech, Young Thug praised his attorney, Brian Steel, telling the students:
"Brian Steel is the best person possible. He's very pedagogical, and he should be a professor."
He urged the students to do their best to help people and get them "out of the situations they’re in," because it was human to "make mistakes."
After two and a half years of custody, Young Thug entered a non-negotiated plea deal in his YSL RICO case and received a 40-year sentence from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker. His sentence included five years in prison (commuted to time served), fifteen years of probation, and a twenty-year backloaded sentence, which will only be served if he violates his probation.
The rapper reportedly pleaded guilty to counts of participating in a street gang, two gun charges, and three drug charges. He pleaded no contest to racketeering and gang leader-related charges. These charges stemmed from his May 2022 arrest for violating Georgia's RICO laws. At that time, prosecutors claimed Williams founded and ran the street gang YSL (Young Slime Life) under the name King Slime.
According to the terms of his sentence, Williams must stay out of the metro Atlanta area for the majority of his probation. Exceptions are made for attending weddings, funerals, or graduations. Young Thug is otherwise free to travel domestically and internationally for business.
Judge Whitaker ordered the Young Thug to return to the city every three months and make presentations to children warning them against violence and gang life. According to the judge, the rapper could use his influence to show kids that "there (were) ways out of poverty besides hooking up with the powerful guy at the end of the street selling drugs."
These presentations would count towards the 100 hours of community service terms included in his probation.
Young Thug would also be subjected to random drug tests.
Moreover, his probation terms prohibit Williams from associating with suspected gang members and fellow defendants (excluding Quantavious Grier and rapper Gunna) or having any communication with his victims. The terms also bar him from carrying a firearm or promoting affiliation to criminal activity, including making gang signs.
Just days after his release, Young Thug was seen hanging out with rapper T.I. The latter was convicted of firearm-related charges in 2009 and served one year in prison. This led many to speculate that he violated his probation conditions. However, independent journalist Meghann Cuniff later clarified that the rapper was prohibited from being around members of criminal street gangs and not convicted felons.
Williams' plea followed his co-defendants Rodalius Ryan, Quamarvious Nichols, and Marquavius Huey accepting plea deals. Co-defendants Deamonte Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell remain on trial.
