Poppy Bilderbeck
American rapper and singer Young Thug has been arrested on criminal street gang activity charges.
The 30-year-old Grammy award-winning musician, real name Jeffery Lamar Williams, was arrested at his home in Buckhead, Atlanta on Monday, 9 May.
Jail records have revealed he is one of 28 people in Atlanta accused of conspiracy to violate the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
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Williams has been arrested in relation to two gang counts and Rico charges.
Jail records state the RICO charge is from an alleged offence committed in January 2013 and the two gang counts from 2018.
The indictment accuses Williams of being part of an Atlantan 'criminal street gang that started in late 2012,' called Young Slime Life. He is allegedly one of the three founders of the gang.
The 'objectives of the conspiracy' were stated as 'but not limited to': "Preserving, protecting and enhancing the reputation, power and territory of the enterprise through acts of racketeering activity including murder, assault and threats of violence.
"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."
Officials reported that Young Slime Life is associated with the Bloods gang - a street gang founded in Los Angeles, known for its rivalry with the Crips.
Fellow rapper and YSL member Gunna, real name Sergio Kitchens, was also indicted on Monday, 9 May.
He is similarly accused of violating the state's RICO act.
However, it has not yet been ascertained whether Gunna has been arrested.
Williams' record label appears to be connected to YSL too, as despite being referred to as Young Stoner Life Records, the label reportedly call its group of artists the 'Slime Family'.
Williams' lawyer, Brian Steel told WSB-TV: "I’ll tell you the response to any allegation; Mr. Williams committed no crime whatsoever and we will fight to my last drop of blood to clear him."
Williams' first court appearance is set to take place on Tuesday, 10 May.
He is being held in Fulton County Jail.
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