ATLANTA — Prosecutors in Atlanta are seeking to revoke Young Thug’s probation, potentially leading to his imprisonment, following a controversial social media post that has ignited public outcry against the district attorney’s office.
The Grammy-winning rapper, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, previously pleaded guilty to charges involving gang activity, drugs, and firearms in October and was subsequently released from jail. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis claims that he has engaged in behavior that endangers the safety of witnesses and prosecutors and jeopardizes ongoing legal proceedings, warranting immediate probation revocation.
In a recent court filing, Willis highlighted that Young Thug shared a post featuring a photograph of an investigator from the district attorney’s office, captioned with accusations of dishonesty. This post quickly gained traction online, racking up over 2 million views and eliciting thousands of comments.
The court documents state that both the investigator’s home address and her parents’ information were publicly disclosed, with some responses threatening the investigator and her family, including a threat aimed at Willis herself.
In response to the situation, Young Thug asserted on social media, “I don’t make threats to people. I’m a good person. I would never condone threatening anyone. I’m all about peace and love.”
His attorney, Brian Steel, has countered the allegations from the prosecutors, claiming that they are misleading and asserting that Young Thug has not violated the terms of his probation.
Young Thug was indicted in May 2022, along with over two dozen others, under Georgia’s anti-racketeering laws, accused of founding a violent street gang involved in numerous crimes over a decade while promoting these activities in music and on social media.
A Fulton County Superior Court judge sentenced him to a total of 40 years, with the first five years to be served in prison, later commuted to time served. He faces 15 years of probation, followed by a contingent 20-year prison sentence that could be reduced if he fulfills the conditions of his probation.
If the court rules in favor of the probation revocation, the 20-year sentence would become effective immediately.
Prosecutors have indicated that the investigated individual whose photograph was reposted by Young Thug is a witness in an ongoing multi-defendant murder case, and the judge had previously instructed that the investigator should not be displayed on television while testifying.
A blogger publicly shared the investigator’s photo, prompting Young Thug’s repost, which prosecutors argue constitutes a violation of his probation. They contend that his association with individuals involved in intimidation and threats of violence is a serious breach of probation terms.
His defense, however, maintains that there was no indication Young Thug was aware of the limitation against displaying the investigator’s image and that reposting an opinion about her credibility does not constitute a violation. Additionally, his lawyer stated that none of the threats referenced can be traced back to Young Thug.
The highly publicized trial for Young Thug and five co-defendants commenced in November 2023 after a lengthy jury selection process lasting nearly 10 months. Young Thug and three others had already entered guilty pleas in October, while a jury recently acquitted the last two defendants of racketeering, murder, and gang-related charges, although one was convicted of a firearms charge.
Young Thug is known for co-writing the iconic hit “This is America” with Childish Gambino, which made history as the first hip-hop song to win the Grammy for Song of the Year in 2019.
