Thugger's fellow hip-hop stars and his longtime partner Mariah The Scientist welcome him home after he's sentenced to time served and 15 years of probation, ending his long racketeering trial in Atlanta.
- Nov 1, 2024
AceShowbiz - Celebrities have reacted to Young Thug's impending release from jail after he pleaded guilty in a criminal case accusing him of leading a violent Atlanta street gang. Celebrating the outcome, many took to social media to express their joy and gratitude.
Travis Scott (II), who has collaborated with Thugger on several songs such as "The London" and "Franchise", wrote on Instagram Story that his "bruddda otw home" with a series of brown hearts. Metro Boomin simply uploaded a series of photos of Thug to his Stories.
"Welcome Home lil bruddah, It's been too long... Time to get back to it!!!" T.I. wrote on his own account alongside photos of the duo. Sexyy Red wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, "THEY LET TWIN OUT!!!" in reference to the duo's physical resemblance.
Thug's longtime partner Mariah The Scientist expressed her gratitude in a statement to WSBTV, thanking judge Paige Whitaker and Thug's attorneys Brian Stell and Keith Adams. "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," she wrote.
She continued, "Thank you Judge Paige Whitaker for giving us the opportunity to move forward with our life! Thank you God. Thank you Brian Steel and Keith Adams and every attorney working on this case, tireless. THANK YOU! I cannot say it enough, I cannot repay you for this. You have changed our lives, Jeffrey's life and mine."
"Thank you to everyone who has been there for us, every fan, who believed in us and prayed for us," the raptress concluded her statement. She also added on her Story, "Thank you God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Echoing the sentiment, YSL Woody simply wrote, "Thank you God."
Additionally, Kevin Liles, the CEO of 300 Entertainment which houses Thug's YSL Records, wrote on Instagram, "Words can't express the incredible happiness and relief I feel to learn of Jeffery's freedom. There will be a time to discuss the criminalization of hip-hop lyrics and the use of bond denial as a weapon against defendants, but in this moment everyone should feel nothing but joy that this amazing artist and even better man can hug his children, parents, siblings, and other loved ones tonight."
On Thursday, October 31, Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, pleaded no contest to two counts, conspiracy to violate Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and participation in criminal street gang activity. He pleaded guilty to six other counts related to drug possession and firearm violations.
Prior to his sentencing, Thug told the court he takes "full responsibility for my crimes and for my charges," adding, "I know what I bring to the table and I know what I am. I know the heights I've reached and I know the impact I've got on people in the community."
Prosecutors sought a sentence of 45 years, with 25 served in custody and 20 years' probation. But Judge Whitaker rejected that suggestion. She sentenced the rapper to 40 years, with five years in prison. Whitaker also commuted the sentence to time served and 15 years' probation, allowing the rapper to be released from custody later Thursday.
"I know you're talented, and if you choose to continue to rap, you need to try to use your influence to let kids know that ... there are ways out of poverty besides hooking up with the powerful guy at the end of the street selling drugs," the judge said.
She repeatedly warned Thug to be on good behavior. "There better be no violations, but if there are any, you're coming back to see me," she said.
Whitaker's leniency came with several conditions, including banning him from metro Atlanta for the next 10 years, with some rare exceptions including medical emergencies of family members and funerals, and participating in concerts that warn of the dangers of gang participation.
He also could not contact the other co-defendants in the YSL RICO trial. However, his lawyer specifically asked for two exemptions, Thugger's biological brother Quantavious Grier and Gunna, in order to continue his rap career. Gunna was also indicted in the case but was released after entering an Alford plea in December 2022.
Following the sentencing, Thug's father shared his discontent regarding a few of the release conditions listed in his son's sentence including a 10-year ban from Metropolitan Atlanta.