Young Thug arrest updates: Rapper’s first court appearance as DA says YSL allegations deserve ‘maximum penalties’

Who is Gunna?

Gunna is the stage name for American rapper Sergio Giavanni Kitchens.

He is signed to Young Thug’s record label YSL Records, as well as 300 Entertainment and Atlantic Records.

He first raised in the ranks after featuring on Young Thug’s “Floyd Mayweather,” alongside Gucci Mane and Travis Scott.

Has Gunna been arrested?

American rapper Gunna has not been arrested.

On Monday, Gunna was indicted in Atlanta, along with Young Thug, on charges of participation in street gang activity and conspiring to violate the RICO Act.

DA about using lyrics

District Attorney Fani Willis said that while she understands that songs are protected as free speech, she believes that the lyrics are “overt and predicate acts” that support the charges.

“The First Amendment does not protect people from prosecutors using it as evidence if it is so,” she said.

Lyrics used in indictment

Investigators included quotes from lyrics in multiple music video appearances by Williams in the indictment.

In one music video from 2018, Young Thug says, “I never killed anybody but I got something to do with that body.”

He also raps, “I told them to shoot hundred rounds.”

The lyrics are from his song titled Anybody.

Young Thug’s father speaks out

The rapper’s dad told Atlanta’s ABC affiliate that his son has been wrongfully accused.

Jeffrey Williams Sr said that YSL is more of a business than a criminal gang, according to Channel 2.

“I’m gonna fight for him to the end,” Williams said. “I’m his father. That’s what I do.

‘Heartbreaking’

One Twitter user said that Young Thug’s arrest is “heartbreaking” considering the tragedy that his family went through just months ago with LaKevia Jackson’s death.

“Prayers to him and his children,” the tweet says.

Recent tragedy

In March, the 31-year-old mother of one of Young Thug’s children, LaKevia Jackson, was shot and killed after she was involved in a dispute over a bowling ball.

The Atlanta Police Department said she was attending a celebration at a local bowling alley when a fight escalated into gunfire.

“A young lady has lost her life over a bowling ball,” Homicide Commander Lt Ralph Woolfolk said.

Jackson’s mom Sherina told local CBS affiliate WGCL: “I didn’t know that was going to be the last time I talked to my baby.

“I could hear her over the phone crying and screaming then her best friend said, ‘She’s not breathing!'”

Maximum penalties

DA Willis also said that her office will be seeking justice for the victims of the gang’s alleged violence.

“There are obviously many people that are looking at life under this indictment,” Willis said.

“These are serious times, and these are serious allegations.

“And it is my opinion that violence in our community deserves maximum penalties.”

District Attorney’s statements

At a press conference on Tuesday, Fulton County DA Dani Wallis said that the criminal street gang had committed 75 to 80 percent of the violent crimes in the Atlanta community.

“They have to be rooted out of our community,” Willis said.

“It does not matter what your notoriety is, what your fame is, if you come to Fulton County, Georgia and you commit crimes, you are going to become a target and a focus of this District Attorney’s office.

Social media and music used

District Attorney Fani Willis said that Young Thug’s social media as well as the lyrics in his music played a crucial part in the investigation.

“Social media is a wonderful tool for prosecutors in every indictment we bring these days,” Willis said.

Young Thug’s possible retirement, continued

The rapper said that while he might not be working on full-length projects into his mid-40s, he would still record songs if the right opportunities came along.

“I’ll sell a song to Chanel when I’m 45 or 50,” he told Complex.

“I’d rather start doing a different thing. It ain’t even about nobody else, it’s just about me and my integrity and how I want to be looked at.

“I got other business and other s**t to be doing. I got kids that gonna need more attention from me in 10 years.”

Young thug spoke about retiring

The rapper recently spoke of giving up music and retiring in favor of his six children.

Young Thug essentially called rap a young man’s game and said he planned on bowing out to take care of other business in a March 9 interview with Complex.

“Why would I be 45 or 50 years old trying to record albums?” Young Thug said.

“When I’m 50 years old, I know 80 percent of the world is 15 to 24.”

Young Thug’s chilling last post

The rapper’s last Instagram post before being arrested shows himself covered in a red substance for a project artwork.

The image shows Young Thug with his eyes closed, covered in a substance resembling blood, as he captioned the post: “These past few weeks gave me so much to talk bout.. y’all ready??”

Many fans took to social media asking for prays for the rapper, commenting: “Prayers for thug and his friends and family.”

Another shared: “We miss you so much thug.”

Did Young Thug win a Grammy?

Young Thug is a Grammy-award-winning songwriter.

He took home a songwriting Grammy in 2019 for his contribution to Childish Gamino’s hit This Is America.

‘My number one focus is targeting gangs’

DA Fani Willis said that the indictment of Young Thug and other alleged members of YSL is part of her vow to reduce gang activity in Fulton County.

“I’ve made no secret about it nor any apology, that my number one focus is targeting gangs, and there’s a reason for that.”

“It does not matter what your notoriety is, or what your fame is. If you come to Fulton County and if you commit crimes, you are going to become a target for this District Attorney’s office.”

Fans call for Young Thug’s release

Many fans showed their support for the rapper on Twitter and asked for him to be released.

Young Thug’s court appearance has not been set

The next court appearance date for Young Thug has not been set, Michael Seiden reported.

The rapper will remain jailed at this time.

What does the indictment say?

The indictment alleges that YSL members engaged in the following activities:

• Preserving, protecting and enhancing the reputation, power and territory of the enterprise by the posting of messages, images, videos and songs, demonstrating allegiance to the enterprise and a willingness to engage in violence on its behalf; 
• Maintaining armed individuals ready and willing to preserve, protect and enhance the reputation, power and territory of the enterprise through the use of violence; 
• Obtaining money, weapons and other property through acts of racketeering activity, including robbery, theft and the unlawful sale and distribution of drugs; 
• Obstructing law enforcement investigations and court proceedings through witness intimidation and attacks upon law enforcement officers. 

Young Thug not appearing in court today

Thug will not make his first appearance today in court, Michael Seiden said on Twitter.

A Fulton County official apparently said he will appear before a superior court judge.

‘YSL not a street gang’

Young Thug’s attorney Brian Steel said that Young Slime Life is not a street gang, the New York Times reported.

“Mr Williams came from an incredible horrible upbringing, and he has conducted himself throughout his life in a way that is just to marvel at,” Steel said.

“He’s committed no crime whatsoever. The indictment is baseless to include him.”

Young Thug’s attorney vowed to fight allegations

Thug’s defense attorney said he would fight the allegations to his “last drop of blood,” NBC reported.

Brian Steel, the attorney, said that his client is innocent and will be vindicated in due time.

“Mr Williams has committed no violation of law, whatsoever. We will fight this case ethically, legally, and zealously. Mr Williams will be cleared,” Steel told NBC.

Young Thug’s feud with YFN Lucci, continued

Lucci has called out Thug for wearing dresses, insisting Pac would never have done that.

And he once claimed to have slept with Thug’s longtime girlfriend Jerrika Karlae, which she denied.

Now, both men are being held in Georgia’s Fulton County Jail while awaiting court hearings.

Lucci has claimed he was stabbed in the prison and fears he will die there unless he is freed.