RAPPERS Young Thug and Gunna were among a slew of music stars accused of crimes linked to an alleged street gang.
Young Slime Life (YSL) was founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 2012 and prosecutors say it has an affiliation with the notorious crime group Bloods.
The organization has allegedly committed multiple murders, shootings, and carjackings’ over the course of a decade.
Gunna, Young Thug, and 26 other alleged members were arrested in May.
Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Kitchens, was accused of conspiracy to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
The YSL is back in the headlines as Gunna has pled guilty to charges and was sentenced to five years in jail.
He has entered an Alford plea and maintains his innocence.
One of his five years is to be served in prison, but because he has already served time, he will be released.
The remaining four years of his sentence have been suspended.
Gunna will be subject to special conditions which include 500 hours of community service, the outlet reports.
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But, he has to speak to youngsters about the dangers of gangs in 350 of those 500 hours.
The rapper said: “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.”
He added that he has "absolutely NO intention of being involved in the trial process in any way,” in a statement following the sentencing.
However, as a condition of Gunna’s trial, he must testify if he is called, but he can claim the Fifth Amendment.
'NOT A GANG'
Gunna claimed that he didn’t consider YSL to be a gang when he joined in 2016.
Instead, he claimed it to be “more like a group of people from metro Atlanta who had common interests and artistic aspirations."
He said: “My focus of YSL was entertainment – rap artists who wrote and performed music that exaggerated and ‘glorified’ urban life in the Black community.”
He added that he cherishes his link to YSL music and always will.
According to prosecutors, the rappers in YSL promoted the alleged gang’s activities in songs and on social media.
Meanwhile, Walter Murphy, also known as DK, pled guilty to racketeering charges and was released from jail on Tuesday.
He was sentenced to 10 years in jail – including one year of time served and nine on probation, according to the New York Times.
While Gunna will be released from jail, Young Thug remains behind bars.
Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, was arrested at his Buckhead Atlanta home on May 9.
He's accused of possessing and attempting to sell marijuana and cocaine.
And, the indictment claims he possessed several guns.
Prosecutors have claimed that he's a founder of the YSL.
Williams faces up to 20 years in jail and a $250,000 fine.
Brian Steel, the artist's lawyer, said the rapper is innocent and vowed to vigorously defend him until it is proven.
He told The Sun: "Jeffery Williams, who performs as “YoungThug, ” vehemently denies the allegations lodged against him in the Fulton County (Georgia) Indictment of May 9, 2022.
"We look forward to the opportunity to defend this case in court. We filed a Motion for Bond and anticipate a hearing in the near future.
"We will fight this case ethically, legally, and zealously. Mr Williams will be cleared."
Jury selection for his trial is due to start on January 4 2023, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
USA Today reported that the conspiracy charges filed against the defendants date back to 2013, while the gang charges date to 2018.
Prosecutors allege that the gang members committed more than 100 crimes to advance their interests.
Those claims include appearing in videos with inflammatory song lyrics, posting images with gang symbols on social media, possessing drugs with the intent to distribute, aggravated assault, and murder.
The indictment also identified a number of people as victims of shootings or attempted shootings, including Dwayne Carter, better known as rapper Lil Wayne.
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Prosecutors claimed that in April 2015, Lil Wayne's tour bus was shot at by the alleged YSL member Jimmy Winfrey, also known as Peewee Roscoe.
Winfrey was given credit for time served in the case after pleading guilty to two counts of violation of the street gang and terrorism and prevention act, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
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