Young Thug and Gunna’s RICO case is progressing quickly after both rappers were named in a sprawling, 88-page indictment accusing their Young Slime Life (YSL) collective of being a dangerous criminal enterprise on Monday (May 9).
Thug, who prosecutors are attempting to paint as the leader of the Bloods-affiliated “street gang,” made his first court appearance from Fulton County Jail in Georgia on Tuesday (May 10).
The 30-year-old rapper appeared via video in front of Judge Rashida Oliver and was formally read his charges, which include conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and participation in criminal street gang activity.
Meanwhile, Gunna was taken into custody on Wednesday morning (May 11) after surrendering himself to authorities in Fulton County. Unlike Young Thug who was arrested at his home in Atlanta on Monday, the DS4Ever rapper wasn’t immediately detained when the RICO indictment was announced.
AD LOADING...
WSB-TV‘s Michael Seiden posted a photo of Gunna’s mugshot on Twitter on Wednesday. The 28-year-old faces one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Young Thug and Gunna are among 28 defendants named in the 56-count indictment, which includes additional charges of murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft and possession of controlled substances and firearms.
The conspiracy charge stems from alleged incidents that occurred between January 2013 and April 2022, including the 2015 murder of a rival gang member named Donovan Thomas Jr. and the jail stabbing of YFN Lucci earlier this year.
Thug allegedly rented the car that was used in Thomas’ murder, while prosecutors claim he gave fellow YSL members Christian Eppinger and Antonio Sumlin the green light to carry out the attempt on Lucci’s life.
Gunna, meanwhile, has been tied to the crimes due to him wearing YSL chains and sharing content such as photos and videos on social media that promoted the “criminal” collective. In RICO cases, individuals can be punished for crimes carried out by the larger criminal organization.
AD LOADING...
“There are definitely many people that are looking at life under this indictment,” Fulton County DA Fani Willis said during a press conference on Tuesday. “These are serious times, they are serious allegations and it is my opinion that violence in our community deserves maximum penalties.”
Young Thug Attorney Says His Client Has 'Committed No Crime Whatsoever'
Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, maintained the rapper’s innocence while speaking to WSB-TV on Monday night. “I’ll tell you the response to any allegation; Mr. Williams committed no crime whatsoever,” he said. “And we will fight to my last drop of blood to clear him.”
According to court documents obtained by 11Alive‘s Joe Henke, Steel has filed a motion for Young Thug to receive bond. His next court appearance has yet to be scheduled.
