Young Thug’s father, Jeffrey Williams Sr., has expressed an array of emotions following his son’s release from Cobb County Corrections after his two-and-a-half-year legal battle in the landmark YSL RICO case.

On Thursday (October 31), just a few hours after Young Thug was sentenced to 15 years probation as part of a non-negotiated plea deal, Williams Sr. addressed the press, expressing both relief and frustration with the terms of the sentence. Young Thug (real name Jeffery Lamar Williams) pleaded guilty to various charges as part of the arrangement, in turn receiving a lengthy probation sentence, which notably includes a ban from residing in the Atlanta Metro area.

When asked how Williams Sr. feels now that his son is free, he delivered a complex response, both celebrating his son’s return but openly criticizing the restrictive conditions.

“I feel great that he’s going home,” Williams Sr. stated. “But at the same token, I still wanted to fight. But that’s his decision. On the other hand, I raised him to be the man that he is. I’ve always been in his life from a pup to now, and I’m going to continue to be in his life and as an adult.”

Williams Sr. explained how he feels the terms of Thug’s probation were particularly “offensive,” especially when it comes to the restriction on his son’s return to Atlanta.

“I’m totally against that because this is where he’s from,” he said, highlighting his dismay that someone without ties to the city could bar his son from his hometown. “And to have a district attorney take that away from him that isn’t a residence from here, she’s from another state, and to see her take a man away from where he’s from, to have to go live somewhere else, that’s offensive to me.”

Williams Sr. also used the moment to voice support for Courtney Kramer, a candidate for District Attorney, citing her as the ideal person to address what he sees as a problematic justice system in Fulton County. Previously, Kramer announced her plans to dismiss the YSL RICO case and charges against Yung Thug should she win her bid for the D.A.’s office.

“The work that we need to do foremost for the city of Atlanta, Fulton County, we need to get rid of the poison that’s in our system,” he said. “And that’s the district attorney office. So vote Courtney Kramer. I support Courtney Kramer to the fullest. I feel like she’s the best person for the job and it’s not because of what she said about us, it’s because she said that and she was in my company and never knew who I was.”

Despite his disapproval of the conditions, Williams Sr. conveyed his enthusiasm for his son’s artistic future and their shared passion for music.

“We’re going to get back to work,” he said. “We’re YSL, YSL loaded.” He affirmed that, even in the face of legal battles, he and his son remain committed to representing their brand, YSL, a loyalty that endures despite court arguments suggesting that YSL functioned as a gang.

Under the conditions of Young Thug’s supervised release, he will serve a 15-year probation term that restricts him from residing in Atlanta, though he may visit the area with prior approval from his probation officer. He’s allowed to continue recording music and performing, albeit under closely monitored circumstances, ensuring that he stays compliant with the terms as he navigates his return to the public eye and music industry. He will also be allowed to continue making music with Gunna, who previously accepted an Alford plea deal during the early stages of the YSL RICO case.

Young Thug stood before Judge Whitaker and begged for his freedom during his plea hearing on Thursday (October 31).

Thugger, who’s been behind bars in a Fulton County jail since 2022 when he was arrested on multiple RICO charges, told Whitaker he was “a good guy” who was essentially a victim of his circumstances. Whitaker received Young Thug’s comments well but stressed how detrimental his rap music and lifestyle image can be to young kids who look up to him.

“There’s more things to rap about,” Thug assured the judge. “I’ve experienced a lot of good things—I mean, I experienced more bad things—but I experienced a lot of good things, too.”

Whitaker then proceeded to run through his sentence and slapped him with 40 years, with the first five years served in prison, commuted by time served, 15 years of probation and thousands of dollars in fines.

That will be followed by a backloaded 20 years, which can be served in custody if he fails probation. Essentially, Thug will get out of jail immediately and remain on probation for 15 years.

The judge also told Thug he has to stay out of the Atlanta Metro area for the first 10 years of his probation unless he needs to attend a funeral, wedding or such event of a close family member. He must deliver an anti-gun, anti-gang ad at a school or boys or girls club four times a year, which would count toward his community service hours.

Furthermore, he cannot promote street gangs or violence, knowingly engage with anyone listed in the indictment or their family members and cannot posses a weapon but can be in arms reach of anyone in his security detail. He must undergo drug tests as well.

Young Thug accepted a non-negotiated (or blind) plea deal after agreeing to plead guilty or no contest to multiple charges, including possession of a machine gun, the RICO count and gang leader count. His plea arrived after three of the remaining co-defendants reached plea deals over the last 72 hours. Rodalius Ryan and Marquavius Huey entered guilty pleas the day after Quamarvious Nichols accepted a deal.

Ryan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO Act. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced him to 10 years, which was commuted to time served. Ryan remains in custody as he’s serving a life sentence for murder. Huey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act, aggravated assault, robbery, gun and gang charges.

Thug’s sentence ends what many are calling Atlanta’s “trial of the century.”

Young Thug, who’s been behind bars since 2022 on a sprawling Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act indictment, accepted a non-negotiated (or blind) plea deal on Thursday (October 31) after agreeing to plead guilty or no contest to multiple charges, including possession of a machine gun, the RICO count and gang leader count.

He previously rejected a negotiated plea deal offer. Consequently, the state is recommending a 45-year sentence with 25 years to serve in custody and 20 years on probation. The final decision on sentencing is up to the judge.

THE STATE IS RECOMMENDING YOUNG THUG IS SENTENCED TO 45 YEARS, WITH 25 YEARS TO SERVE. pic.twitter.com/sjKlNRch6o

— THUGGERDAILY ひ (@ThuggerDaily) October 31, 2024

Young Thug’ plea arrived after three of the remaining co-defendants in Atlanta’s “trial of the century” reached plea deals over the last 72 hours. Rodalius Ryan and Marquavius Huey entered guilty pleas the day after Quamarvious Nichols accepted a deal.

Ryan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO Act. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced him to 10 years, which was commuted to time served. Ryan remains in custody as he’s serving a life sentence for murder. Huey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act, aggravated assault, robbery, gun and gang charges.

The judge sentenced Huey to 25 years with nine to be served in prison. The rest will be spent on probation with five years suspended. Huey has already spent two years in custody. Now, only Yak Gotti and SB remain; the former has opted to take it to a jury.

The defense demanded a mistrial due to the prosecution’s error October 23 in which a witness revealed Nichols was previously incarcerated, which the jury wasn’t supposed to know. Judge Whitaker refused to grant a mistrial with prejudice, which would block the prosecution from retrying Young Thug and his co-defendants.

She did, however, provide an option for a mistrial without prejudice and criticized prosecutors for the hiccups. Consequently, the prosecution and defense engaged in plea deal negotiations due to the looming threat of a mistrial.

The hearing is currently ongoing and being streamed live on YouTube. Thug’s official sentence has yet to be confirmed. Stay tuned.

This is a developing story.