LIVE: Young Thug, YSL RICO Trial: More defendants to take plea deals

ATLANTA – Two more defendants in the long-running YSL RICO Case against rapper Young Thug and some of his associates are expected to reach plea deals.

After several days of speculation and plea negotiations, 29-year-old Quamarviv NicholsHe accepted a plea deal Tuesday.

All but one charge against Nichols, including the murder charge, was dropped in exchange for his guilty plea to a RICO (racketeering) charge.

Nichols was initially charged with conspiracy to violate RICO; 1 murder (2022 murder of Shymel Drinks); 2 counts of participation in criminal street gang activities; 2 possession of a firearm by a felon previously convicted of a felony involving the use or possession of a firearm; and 2 counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

FOX 5 Atlanta has been following this case for nearly a year. This is the longest-running case in Georgia history.

The remaining defendants, including Jeffery Williams, are as follows:

Jeffery Williams (Young Thug or Slime): Conspiracy to violate RICO, 2 counts of participating in criminal street gang activity, 3 counts of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a machine gun.

Deamonte Kendrick (Yak Gotti): Conspiracy to violate RICO, murder (2015 murder of Donovan Thomas), participation in criminal street gang activity, 3 violations of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a machine gun, and Previously fired Possession of a firearm by a felon convicted of a felony involving the use or possession of a weapon.

Rodalius Ryan (Lil Rod): Conspiracy to violate RICO. He is currently serving a life sentence for the 2019 murder of Jamari Holmes.

Shannon Stillwell (Shannon Jackson or SB): Conspiracy to violate RICO, 2 counts of murder (2015 murder of Donovan Thomas Jr. and 2022 murder of Shymel Drinks), 2 counts of participation in criminal street gang activity, 2 counts of possession of a firearm by a felon previously convicted of a crime. a felony involving the use or possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Young Thug and 27 others were charged in 2022 with violating Georgia’s RICO (Raider Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) law and committing multiple violent crimes. After the longest jury selection in history (10 months), the trial of Young Thug and several defendants began in November 2023. This is currently the longest case in Georgia history. Prosecutors are trying to prove that YSL (Young Slime Life) is a street gang responsible for numerous crimes, including murder. The defendants claim that YSL stands for Young Stoner Life and is the name of a record label founded by Young Thug. Young Thug is facing eight charges. The trial suffered several disruptions, including illnesses, the arrest of a juror and an attorney, the stabbing of defendant Shannon Stillwell, the removal of the judge originally assigned to the case, and more.