Young Thug’s Probation Upheld, Judge Rules in Rapper’s Favor

A judge has ruled that rapper Young Thug’s probation will be upheld. It comes after prosecutors with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office filed a motion to revoke probation for the star, born Jeffrey Williams. According to Atlanta’s Channel 2 Action News, a document obtained by Channel 2’s investigative team claimed that Young Thug threatened witnesses and prosecutors after a social media post by the rapper.

“Since sentencing, the Defendant has engaged in conduct that threatens the safety of witnesses and prosecutors, compromises ongoing legal proceedings, and warrants immediate revocation of probation,” the doc reads. “The integrity of this court, and the safety of those involved in this prosecution are at stake.”

The YSL case was originally an indictment that charged 28 people, including Young Thug, with conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Last year, after many co-defendants accepted plea deals, Thug also accepted a deal and received a complex sentence; 5 years commuted to time served, followed by 15 years probation and then a “backloaded” 20-year prison term, which would also be commuted to time served if he completed the probation. There were also stipulations.

But this motion claims that an image of Investigator Marissa Viverito, who is currently testifying in a gang murder hearing, was posted on social media by a blogger. This happened after a judge ordered that Viverito not be shown on TV. The image was nonetheless shared on social media — along with a caption that read: “She doesn’t want to be shown on screen? Well, here she is.” The motion says Young Thug reposted the image, and it got more than 2 million views.

“What our motion is concerned about is that we certainly believe that his post was to threaten law enforcement, which is all part of gang activity,” Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis told Channel 2.

“Wiviritio’s home address and her parents’ home address were publicly posted, exposing them to grave danger,” and hours later, there was another post – this one threatening Willis.

“It is never appropriate to threaten to murder another person,” Williams’ attorney told Channel 2. “The prosecution’s motion to revoke Jeffery’s probation should not be well-received and should be swiftly rejected. It is irresponsible to file a motion of this sort when Jeffery has done absolutely nothing. To violate any condition of probation or threaten a witness.”

FOX 5 reports that Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker decided that the post did not qualify as a probation violation.

"While the Court does not find that the cited social media post rises to the level of a violation of Defendant’s probation," Whitaker wrote, "It may be prudent for Defendant to exercise restraint regarding certain topics."