Gunna will likely be launched from jail after pleading responsible to the RICO Act violation cost in opposition to him within the sweeping YSL gang case.
The rapper — actual title Sergio Kitchens — defined his plea in a press release issued by way of his attorneys. In it, Kitchens mentioned he was taking an “Alford plea,” in any other case often called a “best-interest plea,” the place the accused maintains their innocence whereas accepting a plea and the repercussions of a responsible verdict.
As WSB-TV in Atlanta experiences, Kitchens was sentenced to 5 years jail, with one-year commuted to time served. The remaining 4 years had been suspended, although will likely be topic to particular circumstances, equivalent to finishing 500 hours of group service.
Kitchens additionally mentioned that, regardless of taking the plea deal, he wouldn’t be cooperating with prosecutors additional: “Whereas I’ve agreed to all the time be truthful, I need to make it completely clear that I’ve NOT made any statements, have NOT been interviewed, have NOT cooperated, have NOT agreed to testify or be a witness for or in opposition to any social gathering within the case and have completely NO intention of being concerned within the trial course of in any approach,” he mentioned.
A consultant for the Fulton County District Lawyer’s Workplace didn’t instantly return Rolling Stone’s request for remark.
Kitchens was considered one of 28 individuals — together with fellow rapper Younger Thug — arrested in Could as a part of an enormous RICO Act indictment. Prosecutors have tried to color each Kitchens and Younger Thug (actual title Jeffrey Williams) because the leaders of a YSL (Younger Slime Life) prison avenue gang in Atlanta. Each Kitchens and Williams had been charged with conspiring to violate the RICO Act, whereas Williams was additionally hit with six extra gun and drug expenses (Williams has pleaded not responsible). Controversially, the indictment cited Kitchens’ and Williams’ lyrics as proof in opposition to them.
In his plea assertion, Kitchens mentioned he turned affiliated with YSL in 2016, however mentioned that he “didn’t contemplate it a ‘gang’; extra like a bunch of individuals from metro Atlanta who had widespread pursuits and inventive aspirations.” He added, “My focus of YSL was leisure — rap artists who wrote and carried out music that exaggerated and ‘glorified’ city life within the Black group.”
After explaining his resolution to take the Alford plea, Kitchens mentioned, “I like and cherish my affiliation with YSL music, and all the time will. I take a look at this as a chance to present again to my group and educate younger women and men that ‘gangs’ and violence solely result in destruction.”
The YSL trial is scheduled to start Jan. 9, 2023.