ATLANTA — Rapper Young Thug is facing new charges related to street racing, months after his arrest for participating in criminal street gang activity.
Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne was on Alison Court, where Young Thug was arrested back in May.
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The rapper, whose real name is Jeffrey Williams, was one of more than two dozen people arrested on charges related to Young Slime Life, which prosecutors say is a criminal street gang that claims affiliation with the Bloods.
Channel 2 Action News was the first news team to report that the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office was indicting the rapper, along with rapper Gunna, on charges including conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and participation in a criminal street gang.
Now, the district attorney’s office has confirmed that Williams has also been charged for street racing, reckless driving an speeding. Winne learned that the charges stem from the rapper driving a vehicle at 120 mph on Interstate 85 in May. All of the charges are misdemeanors.
Brian Steel, an attorney for Young Thug, said the rapper is innocent of all the charges that he is facing.
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“As of two weeks ago, that case was being resolved with a seatbelt violation,” Steel said. “Today, now its indicted in the Fulton County Superior Court. He is being wronged by our system.”
Steel said Young Thug looks forward to proving that he is innocent in the trial, which begins on Jan. 5, 2023.
Steel also relayed a statement from the rapper on the shooting deaths of two boys near Atlantic Station last month. Police have said the shooting that killed 12-year-old Zyion Charles and 15-year-old Cameron Jackson were gang-related.
“The effects of gun violence on individual and communities in Atlanta runs deep with many more families having to mourn their loved ones,” Young Thug said in a statement. “We have to make our community safe. I vow to use my influence to help stop the violence in Atlanta, and around the world.”
Winne pointed out to Steel that some people may be skeptical of the rapper’s statement, considering the slew of charges he is facing.
“They should come to the trial,” Steel said. “He’s committed no crime. And Mr. Williams will do whatever he has to do and has done a great deal to try to have non-violence in our community. Mr. Williams is not the head of any criminal street gang, he’s not involved in any type of criminal activity that involves any type of violence.”
District Attorney Fani Willis said in a statement:
“I hope everyone in our community will do everything in their power to reduce gun violence. We see too many young people killed, injured, or imprisoned because of the havoc caused by gun crimes across Fulton County and the nation. That said, everyone in our community is held accountable for violating the law, especially when their crimes involve gun violence and gangs.”
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