Latest news with #FultonCountyDistrictAttorney'sOffice
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Young Thug could lose his probation deal
The Brief Prosecutors allege Young Thug violated probation terms by amplifying social media posts targeting a key law enforcement witness, leading to threats against the witness and public officials. The State of Georgia has filed a motion to revoke Young Thug's probation, citing his actions as a threat to public safety and the integrity of the judicial system. Prosecutors request immediate custody of Young Thug and reimbursement for additional security measures, emphasizing the need for swift action to prevent further intimidation and harassment. ATLANTA - Young Thug's probation could be revoked if the Fulton County District Attorney's Office has its way. The rapper, whose legal name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, is accused of violating his deal to end his involvement in the YSL RICO Trial after a now-deleted post to one of his social media accounts. The backstory Williams, who pleaded guilty on Oct. 31, 2024, was sentenced to probation with conditions, including no contact with victims or their families. Prosecutors now allege that he violated those terms by amplifying social media posts that targeted a key law enforcement witness. What we know Prosecutors have filed a motion to revoke the probation of Williams, alleging his social media activity endangered witnesses and public officials and posed a threat to the integrity of the judicial system. What they're saying In a filing submitted Wednesday in Fulton County Superior Court, the State of Georgia requested that Judge Paige Whitaker immediately remand Williams into custody, arguing his continued freedom under probation "presents a clear and present danger to public safety and undermines the rule of law." The motion outlines a series of events beginning with a preliminary gang murder hearing currently underway, in which Fulton County Investigator Marissa Viverito is testifying. The court had explicitly barred any video or photography of Viverito during her testimony. However, a social media user identified as a blogger posted an image of her with the caption: "She doesn't want to be shown on screen? Well, here she is." On April Fool's Day, Williams reposted the image on his social media account, adding, "Marissa Viverito is the biggest liar in the DA's office." That post went viral, reportedly garnering over 2 million views and prompting a flood of comments, including threats to Viverito and her family. Those social media posts were pulled Click to open this PDF in a new window. According to the motion, the fallout escalated quickly. "Viverito's home address and her parents' home address were publicly posted," prosecutors wrote, citing one post that said, "If the hate is really real then pull up on her mama crib," alongside a photo of her mother's house. Hours later, prosecutors say, another post appeared threatening the life of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. One user wrote: "Will personally make sure Fani Willis is assassinated." "The escalation from targeting a testifying witness to making direct death threats against the elected District Attorney of Fulton County represents a grave and unprecedented attack on the justice system," prosecutors stated in the filing. The State argued that Williams's actions are part of a broader campaign of "intimidation, harassment, and misinformation" designed to obstruct justice and silence those involved in the ongoing criminal proceedings. The other side On his official X account, formerly Twitter, Young Thug wrote the following: "I don't make treats to people I'm a good person, I would never condone anyone threatening anyone or definitely participate in threatening anyone. I'm all about peace and love." William's attorney, Brian Steele, sent the following statement about the motion: "This motion is baseless. While intimidation and threats of violence are never appropriate, Jeffery Williams has done nothing wrong. We look forward to seeking a dismissal of this petition." Dig deeper Court documents referenced additional attempts to manipulate public opinion, including social media references to Judge Whitaker as "YSL Whitaker," a nod to the Young Slime Life gang that prosecutors allege Williams is affiliated with. Georgia law allows for the revocation of probation if a defendant engages in criminal conduct or actions that endanger public safety. Prosecutors emphasized that Williams's "significant influence over people worldwide" amplifies the danger posed by his actions. "Failure to act decisively will only encourage further attempts to threaten, harass, and intimidate those involved in this case," the motion stated. What's next Prosecutors also requested that the court order Williams to reimburse law enforcement for the additional security measures taken in response to the threats. "The integrity of this Court and the safety of those involved in this prosecution are at stake," the filing concluded. "The State urges this Court to take swift and decisive action by revoking the Defendant's probation and remanding him into custody without delay." What we don't know A hearing date has not yet been set. SEE ALSO: Motions hearing canceled for Atlanta rapper Young Thug YSL RICO case: Trial for 3 remaining defendants to be delayed until June Murder convictions of 2 former YSL defendants upheld by Georgia Supreme Court YSL RICO case: Trial for remaining defendants set for early March Tenquarius Mender accepts plea deal in YSL RICO Case, avoids trial with 10-year sentence The Source The details in this article come from a court filing in the Fulton County Superior Court. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports were also used. FOX 5's Tyler Fingert contributed to this report. This article has been updated with new details.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prosecutors File Motion To Revoke Young Thug's Probation
The Fulton County District Attorney's Office has requested that Young Thug's probation be revoked, according to a motion filed on Wednesday (April 3). Thug (whose real name is Jeffery Williams) ended a lengthy criminal trial in October 2024 when he pleaded guilty to charges leveled against him. The case, built around Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) law, claimed that Thug and his alleged YSL gang had committed murders, carjackings, drug dealing and many other crimes. More from Billboard The Weeknd's 'Call Out My Name' Video Reaches 1 Billion YouTube Views Johnny Tillotson, Iconic Country & Pop Singer Behind 'Poetry in Motion,' Dies at 86 Rubi Rose Says She Makes $400K on OnlyFans During a 'Horrible Month' At the conclusion of the trial, Thug was sentenced to 40 years with five to be served in prison commuted to time served. As a result, he was given 15 years probation, with a further 20 to be commuted if successfully completed. However, a new motion has been filed in Fulton County Superior Court which has seen the State of Georgia request Whitaker revoke Thug's probation, alleging that his 'continued presence in the community under probationary supervision presents a clear and present danger to public safety and undermines the rule of law.' Per Channel 2 Action News, the crux of the filing revolves around what prosecutors have labelled 'escalating threats and witness intimidation.' They note that Fulton County Investigator Marissa Viverito is in the process of testifying in a 'multi-defendant gang murder preliminary hearing' which has seen the Court order witnesses not to be shown on television while testifying. However, a user on social media posted an image of Viverito online with a caption stating, 'She doesn't want to be shown on screen? Well, here she is.' On Tuesday (April 1), Thug is alleged to have shared a since-deleted repost the image, pairing it with a caption claiming 'Marissa Viverito is the biggest liar in the DA's office.' According to the filing, the post 'quickly went viral,' resulting in over two million views, and resulting in 'direct threats to Investigator Viverito and her family.' The filing also claims that as a result of Thug sharing the post, the home addresses of Vivirito and her parents were distributed online, with one post reportedly sharing an image of Vivirito's mother's house and stating, 'If the hate is really real then pull up on her mama crib.' Another post is alleged to have been shared later which threatened the assassination of District Attorney Fani Willis. 'The escalation from targeting a testifying witness to making a direct death threat against the elected District Attorney of Fulton County is a grave and unprecedented attack on the justice system,' the filing stated. In response to the probation revocation request, Thug shared a statement on his X (formerly Twitter), writing, 'I don't make treats to people I'm a good person, I would never condone anyone threatening anyone or definitely participate in threatening anyone. I'm all about peace and love.' The filing alleges that the behavior is a 'calculated campaign of intimidation, harassment, and misinformation designed to undermine the legal process,' and have requested the Court take 'swift and decisive action by revoking the Defendant's probation and remanding them into custody without delay.' Currently, no hearing date has been set. Meanwhile, Thug is scheduled to give his first performance following his trial in June as part of Chicago's Summer Smash Festival. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Fulton County prosecutors ask to have Young Thug's probation revoked
Channel 2 Action News has learned prosecutors with the Fulton County District Attorney's Office have filed a motion to revoke the probation for hip hop superstar Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffrey Williams. A document obtained by Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne says, '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 motion says, 'the integrity of this court, and the safety of those involved in this prosecution are at stake.' RELATED STORIES: Prosecution rests after nearly year-long case against YSL YSL RICO jury returns to hear testimony after 2 remaining co-defendants refused plea offers Young Thug released from Fulton County Jail after non-negotiated plea in YSL trial Last public defender in YSL trial moves to withdraw as counsel, says she can't earn 'livable wage' The YSL case began initially as an indictment that charged 28 people, including rapper Young Thug, with conspiring to violate Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Young Thug pleaded guilty as part of a non-negotiated plea in December. Nine other defendants took plea deals before the trial began, including rapper Gunna. The trial was the longest criminal trial in Georgia history. It took 10 months alone just to select the jury and testimony didn't begin until a year ago in Nov. 2023. Stay with and tune into WSB Tonight at 11 p.m. for the latest on this developing story. Fulton County prosecutors ask to have Young Thug's probation revoked by WSB-TV on Scribd
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fani Willis violated open records law, judge finds
Fulton County, Ga., District Attorney Fani Willis was found to be in violation of the state's Open Records Act as outlined in a judge's Friday ruling ordering her to present requested documents and pay more than $54,000 in legal fees. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rachel Krause determined that Willis's failure to comply with the law 'were intentional, not done in good faith, and were substantially groundless and vexatious.' Willis was accused of preventing attorney Ashleigh Merchant from acquiring files pertinent to her client, Michael Roman, one of the 18 people indicted with President Trump for alleged election interference. Krause's ruling comes more than a year after Merchant filed a lawsuit seeking punitive damages. Willis is now being asked to turn over all records requested by Merchant and pay her $54,000 within 30 days of Friday's order. Her office said they would appeal the ruling, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Fulton County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to The Hill's requests for comment. However, Merchant openly celebrated Friday's ruling. 'Proud that we have judges willing to hold people in power accountable when they ignore the law!!!! #faniwillis #openrecords #fultoncounty,' she wrote in a Friday post on the social platform X. Willis was reelected to serve as the Fulton County district attorney in November but was barred from pursuing the election subversion case against President Trump and several allies in January based on the appearance of impropriety. She challenged the ruling with the Georgia Supreme Court and is still awaiting an answer regarding her ability to prosecute Trump and others in criminal proceedings. The president's lawyers argued a review from the high court is not a right and should only be granted 'in cases of great concern, gravity, or importance to the public,' according to court filings. They cited the majority opinion from the state's court of appeals which disqualified Willis, alleging the appearance of impropriety was 'significant' and an 'odor of mendacity' stands. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
18-03-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Fani Willis violated open records law, judge finds
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was found to be in violation of the state's Open Records Act as outlined in a judge's Friday ruling ordering her to present requested documents and pay more than $54,000 in legal fees. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rachel Krause determined that Willis' failure to comply with the law 'were intentional, not done in good faith, and were substantially groundless and vexatious.' Willis was accused of preventing attorney Ashleigh Merchant from acquiring files pertinent to her client, Michael Roman, one of the 18 people indicted with President Trump for alleged election interference. Krause's ruling comes over a year after Merchant filed a lawsuit seeking punitive damages. Willis is now being asked to turn over all records requested by Merchant and pay her $54,000 within 30 days of Friday's order. Her office said they would appeal the ruling, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The Fulton County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to The Hill's requests for comment. However, Merchant openly celebrated Friday's ruling. 'Proud that we have judges willing to hold people in power accountable when they ignore the law!!!! #faniwillis #openrecords #fultoncounty,' she wrote in a Friday post on X. Willis was re-elected to serve as the Fulton County District Attorney in November but barred from pursuing the election subversion case against President Trump and several allies in January based on the appearance of impropriety. She challenged the ruling with the Georgia Supreme Court and is still awaiting an answer regarding her ability to prosecute Trump and others in criminal proceedings. The president's lawyers argued a review from the high court is not a right and should only be granted 'in cases of great concern, gravity, or importance to the public,' according to court filings. They cited the majority opinion from the state's court of appeals which disqualified Willis, alleging the appearance of impropriety was 'significant' and an 'odor of mendacity' stands.
