Atlanta Rapper Young Thug Faces New Gang, Drugs And Gun Charges

Rapper Young Thug, who is accused of conspiracy to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) Act, is now facing six new felony charges.

Last week, a new indictment was filed in Fulton County Superior Court against the music artist, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, reported ABC News. The Atlanta rapper now faces additional charges of participation in criminal street gang activity and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Other charges include violation of the Georgia controlled substances act and possession of a machine gun as well as drug charges.

Authorities said that the new charges stem from what investigators found during the rapper's arrest on the original May 9 indictment at his house in Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood. A spokesperson for the Fulton County, Georgia District Attorney's Office confirmed with XXL that after being re-indicted, Williams faces additional charges. The May indictment contained 56 counts against 28 individuals. They were for alleged involvement in crimes committed on behalf of the Young Slime Life (YSL) street gang, and now the updated indictment contains 65 counts, six of which apply to rapper.

This new indictment "includes all 28 defendants from the May indictment and still focuses on YSL, an organization allegedly founded by Williams and two others," according to HNHH.

Brian Steel, who is Williams' lawyer, said that his client is innocent and he "has committed absolutely no crimes." He looks forward to fighting the charges in court, and said that they "cannot wait for a trial date.” Williams, along with fellow rapper Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Kitchens, are still in jail. Bond was denied for both earlier this year, but Steel said that a new bond hearing for Williams has been scheduled for next week. A tentative trial date has been scheduled for Jan. 9 next year.

Deamonte Kendrick, also known as Yak Gotti, and Martinez Arnold, also known as Duke, face additional charges. They include participation in criminal street gang activity and violation of the Georgia controlled substances act. Other chages include possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony as well as possession of a machine gun.

Kendrick's lawyer said that the rapper is a performer, "not a criminal."