YSL Records racketeering trial
| State of Georgia v. Young Stoner Life (YSL) | |
|---|---|
| Court | Superior Court of Fulton County |
| Full case name | State of Georgia v. Kahlieff Adams, Martinez Arnold, Derontae Bebee, Damone Blalock, Javaris Bradford, Justin Cobb, Cordarius Dorsey, Christian Eppinger, Miles Farley, Jevon Fleetwood, Damekion Garlington, Quantavious Grier, Marquavius Huey, Deamonte Kendrick, Sergio Kitchens, Wunnie Lee, Demise McMullen, Tenquarius Mender, Walter Murphy, Jayden Myrick, Quamarvious Nichols, Rodalius Ryan, Antonio Sledge, Trontavious Stephens, Shannon Stillwell, Antonio Sumlin, Jeffery Williams & Jimmy Winfrey |
| Submitted | May 9, 2022 |
| Started | November 27, 2023 |
| Decided | December 3, 2024 |
| Verdict | Not guilty on all counts (Deamonte Kendrick) except for count 64, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon O.C.G.A. § 16-11-131 (Shannon Stillwell) |
| Charge | Conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, Murder (2), Armed robbery (4), Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (4), Possession of firearm during commission of a felony (7), Theft by receiving stolen property (2), Violation of the Georgia controlled substances act (3), Possession of a firearm by convicted felon (3), Participation in criminal street gang activity (14), Hijacking motor vehicle in the first degree (2), Possession of firearm by first offender probationer (3), Theft by taking, Attempted murder (3), Possession of weapon by incarcerated individual (2), Possession of telecommunication device by incarcerated individual, Conspiracy to commit crime (2) & Possession of firearm by convicted felon previously convicted of felony involving the use or possession of a firearm (2) |
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The YSL Records racketeering trial was a criminal trial in Fulton County, Georgia, involving American rapper Jeffery "Young Thug" Williams and several associates from his record label, YSL Records (Young Stoner Life Records). Prosecutors alleged that YSL operated both as a legitimate record label and as a criminal street gang under Georgia's RICO laws.
The trial began on November 27, 2023, following the May 2022 indictment of 28 individuals associated with YSL. It became one of the longest and most expensive criminal trials in Georgia history. It featured two judicial recusals and the arrest of two defense attorneys. There were intense disputes around the meaning of various phrases including the meaning of the acronym YSL, and the song lyrics of the defendant's records were found to be admissible. Several defendants, including Young Thug and Gunna, entered plea agreements during the trial, resulting in prison sentences and other conditions. Other co-defendants were acquitted. The trial ended on December 3, 2024, with the remaining jury verdicts delivered.