Young Thug’s Lawyer Says He’ll Fight Allegations to ‘Last Drop of Blood’
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Young Thug’s defense attorney has vowed to fight allegations of criminal gang activity to his “last drop of blood” following the rapper’s arrest.
The rapper, 30, was booked into Atlanta’s Fulton County Jail on Monday as one of 28 people indicted on conspiracy to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, and criminal street gang activity.
According to court documents, Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, stands accused of being one of the founding members of YSL, or “Young Slime Life,” a street gang which prosecutors say was formed in 2012 in Atlanta.
Young Thug’s Record label, which was founded in 2016, is called YSL Records. It has also been referred to as Young Stoner Life and Young Slime/Slatt Life.
Young Thug has been arrested amid allegations of criminal gang activity. The rapper is pictured attending Young Stoner Life Meet & Greet at DTLR Camp Creek on April 22, 2021 in East Point, Georgia. Paras Griffin/Getty Images
The indictment, which was filed in Fulton Superior Court, states that YSL claims affiliation with the nationwide Bloods gang, per NBC News.
Amid news of the charges, Young Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steel, has insisted his client is innocent, as he also vowed to “zealously” fight the allegations.
“Mr. Williams has committed no violation of law, whatsoever. We will fight this case ethically, legally and zealously. Mr. Williams will be cleared,” Steel said, per NBC News.
The indictment states that Young Thug has been charged with two counts: conspiracy to violate RICO, and participation in criminal street gang activity.
In an impassioned statement shared with local ABC affiliate WSB-TV, Steel reiterated his assertion of innocence as he gears up for the legal battle.
“I’ll tell you the response to any allegation; Mr. Williams committed no crime whatsoever, and we will fight to my last drop of blood to clear him,” Steel stated.
A jail release date for Young Thug was not listed in documents showing that he was booked. The musician is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Tuesday morning, ABC News reports.
Also named in the 56-count indictment is fellow rapper Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Kitchens. It is not yet clear if Gunna, who stands accused of conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO Act, has been arrested.
The individuals indicted have been accused of the following, per WSB-TV:
“We expect that in coming days weeks and months that we will bring RICO indictments against gang members even top level gang members to make sure that we rid them from our society,” said Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in an interview with WSB-TV’s Mark Winne in last week.
Newsweek has contacted representatives of Young Thug and Gunna for comment.
Also named in the 56-count indictment is Gunna. The rapper is pictured attending the TAG Heuer Miami Prix at Jungle Plaza on May 7, 2022 in Miami, Florida. John Parra/Getty Images for TAG Heuer