ATLANTA – Two more defendants in the high-profile YSL RICO case involving Atlanta rapper Young Thug have signed plea agreements.

Young Thug and YSL Trial plea agreements

Rodalius Ryan, also known as Lil Rod, and Marquavius ​​Huey, also known as Qua, reached agreements in Fulton County court Wednesday afternoon.

Ryan, who is in prison for a murder he was convicted of when he was 15, pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. His plea on Wednesday would mean his 10-year prison sentence for the RICO charge would be commuted to time already served, allowing him to focus on appealing his murder conviction before the Georgia Supreme Court.

Huey’s plea deal came shortly after Ryan’s. Originally indicted on 19 charges, including violating the RICO Act, multiple counts of armed robbery, and participation in a criminal street gang, Huey saw some of the charges dropped or dismissed.

The judge sentenced him to 25 years in prison, of which he will serve only nine. His attorney told the judge that Huey plans to use the opportunity after he is released from prison to turn his life around and help others.

The judge told Huey that his agreement was “remarkable” considering he was facing three consecutive life sentences and the possibility of additional time.

“I plan to take my time and come back a better man,” Huey assured him.

The day before, 29-year-old Quamarviv Nicholsaccepted a plea deal.

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

Those plea deals were negotiated after the trial stalled after a witness mistakenly read a label on the stand last week that one of the defendants was involved in the crime.

Defense attorneys called for a mistrial, claiming the jury should not have been informed about the defendants’ past crimes or incarceration. The court has not yet decided on the request for reversal of the trial.

With these latest plea agreements, only three defendants remain on trial:

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.

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.

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

It remains unclear when testimony will continue in the case that has attracted the attention of the rap industry and fans around the world.

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.