In May 2022, the Fulton County District Attorney’s office issued an 88-page indictment naming 28 members of an alleged gang known as Young Slime Life, or YSL. (The office issued a larger reindictment in August 2022 with more charges.) YSL is otherwise known as an Atlanta-based record label founded in 2016, although that label’s initials stand for Young Stoner Life. Several of the names in the indictment are popular rappers, including Young Thug (who is on trial) and Gunna (who accepted a plea deal).
In January 2023, jury selection began with 14 of those named in the indictment. A jury was selected and seated on Nov. 1, 2023.
The trial began with opening statements Nov. 27, 2023.
The number of defendants going to trial was reduced to six because nine defendants took plea deals and 12 being tried separately. One had charges dropped after being convicted of an unrelated murder. But plea deals during October reduced the remaining defendants to two
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Still on trial
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Deamonte Kendrick (“Yak Gotti”): Rapper with lyrics referenced by district attorneys. Has recorded on the 300 Entertainment label. Charged with 2015 murder of Donovan Thomas Jr.
- Facing nine charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; murder; participation in criminal street gang activity; three counts of violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act; possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; possession of a machine gun; possession of a firearm by convicted felon previously convicted of felony involving the use or possession of a firearm.
Credit: undefined
Credit: undefined
Shannon Stillwell (“Shannon Jackson” or “SB”): Charged in 2022 murder of Shymel Drinks and with the 2015 murder of Donovan Thomas Jr.
- Facing eight charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; two counts of murder; two counts of participation in criminal street gang activity; two counts of possession of a firearm by convicted felon previously convicted of felony involving the use or possession of a firearm; and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Accepted plea deals
Of the 28 named in the original indictment, the following have accepted plea deals:
Jeffery Williams (“Young Thug” or “Slime”): Non-negotiated guilty plea on Oct. 31, 2024.
Grammy-winning rapper and founder of YSL Records. Alleged co-founder and co-leader of YSL gang. Prosecutors said some of his lyrics were confessions to crime he had committed. Has recorded with the YSL, 300 Entertainment, Atlantic Records, Cash Money and 1017 Brick Squad labels.
- Faced eight charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; two counts of participation in criminal street gang activity; three counts of violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act; possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; and possession of a machine gun.
- After nearly two and a half years behind bars, he left the Fulton County Jail hours after a judge sentenced him to time served and 15 years on probation.
- He pleaded no contest to one count each of conspiring to violate the state’s RICO act and participating in criminal street gang activity, meaning he neither admitted nor denied those charges. But he pleaded guilty to six charges: a gang count, three counts of violating Georgia’s controlled substances act, possession of a machine gun and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
- Williams, 33, entered into a non-negotiated — or blind — plea and left the final sentencing decision up to Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker.
Marquavius Huey (“Qua”): Negotiated guilty plea on Oct. 30. 2024. He was booked into the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison in Butts County on Nov. 12, 2024.
- Initially faced 19 charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; three counts of armed robbery; four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; four counts of possession of a firearm during commission of a felony; hijacking a motor vehicle in the first degree; four counts of participation in criminal street gang activity; possession of weapon by incarcerated individual; and possession of a telecommunication device by incarcerated individual.
- Sentenced to 25 years, with nine to serve in custody and 11 on probation. As part of the deal, the five-year balance would be suspended, prosecutor Simone Hylton said.
Rodalius Ryan (“Lil Rod”): Negotiated guilty plea on Oct. 30. 2024. He is serving a life sentence at Hancock State Prison.
- Faced one count of conspiracy to violate RICO.
- Ryan was given 10 years in prison but had his sentence commuted to time served. He is the youngest of the 28 defendants charged in the sprawling gang case and is already serving life in prison for the 2019 murder of Jamari Holmes.
- Ryan was the youngest of the defendants. He was 15 when Holmes was killed. Authorities said Holmes, also 15, was found in the passenger seat of a stolen car with a bullet in his head and an electronic monitoring device on his ankle
Quamarvious Nichols (“Qua”): Negotiated guilty plea on Oct. 29, 2024 to one count of conspiring to violate the state’s RICO act. He was booked into the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison in Butts County on Nov. 5, 2024.
- Originally faced seven charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; murder; two counts of participation in criminal street gang activity; possession of a firearm by convicted felon previously convicted of felony involving the use or possession of a firearm; and two counts of possession of a firearm during commission of a felon.
- Prior convictions: Criminal damage to property (2013); illegal use of a credit card (2017); trafficking of drugs (2017); and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (2018).
- As part of the deal, Nichols is no longer charged in the March 2022 killing of Shymel Drinks, who prosecutors alleged was an associate of a rival gang. And unlike previous defendants who accepted plea deals, Nichols will not be required to testify or acknowledge that YSL is a gang, his attorney said.
- He was sentenced to 20 years, with seven to serve in custody and the balance on probation. He will get credit for the nearly three years he has already spent behind bars, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker said.
Derontae Bebee (“Bee” or “B”): Negotiated guilty plea on Nov. 3, 2023. He was booked at the Jenkins Correctional Facility on Nov. 16, 2023.
- Plead guilty to Conspiracy to violate RICO; theft by receiving stolen property; two counts of violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act; possession of a firearm by convicted felon; participation in criminal street gang activity; armed robbery (reduced to robbery by force); and hijacking a motor vehicle in the first degree.
- Sentenced to 15 years, to serve 5 years in jail and 10 on probation
Trontavious Stephens (“Tick” or “Slug”): Acknowledged co-founder of YSL. Negotiated guilty plea on Dec. 29, 2022.
- Pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate RICO.
- Sentenced to 10 years, 2 years commuted to time served, 8 years probation.
Credit: Miguel Martinez
Credit: Miguel Martinez
Antonio Sledge (“Mounk Tounk”): Acknowledged member of YSL since 2012. Negotiated guilty plea on Dec. 28, 2022. He was booked into the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison in Butts County on Oct. 29, 2024.
- Pleaded guilty to two counts: Conspiracy to violate RICO and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
- Sentenced to 15 years probation. After testifying during trial, his probation was revoked after Judge Paige Reese Whitaker determined he was dishonest during his testimony. He was sentenced to five years in prison.
- Prior convictions: Possession of cocaine (2013); Criminal street gang, aggravated assault (2015), served 2 years.
Antonio Sumlin (“Obama”): Negotiated guilty plea Dec. 22, 2022.
- Pleaded guilty on four counts: Conspiracy to violate RICO; two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime; and one count of participation in criminal street gang activity.
- Sentenced to 15 years probation.
- Prior conviction: Aggravated assault (2012).
Quantavious Grier (“Unfoonk”): Rapper with lyrics referenced by district attorneys. Brother of Jeffrey Williams (“Young Thug”). Negotiated guilty plea on Dec. 20, 2022. He was booked at the Macon State Prison on June 12, 2023.
- Pleaded guilty on two counts: one count of violating the state’s RICO act and one count of theft by receiving stolen property.
- Sentenced to 12 years, 2 years commuted to time served, 10 years probation.
- He was arrested on May 4 on a gun charge, in violation of his plea deal.
Martinez Arnold (“Duke”): Rapper. Negotiated guilty plea on Dec. 16, 2022.
- Pleaded guilty on two counts: Conspiracy to violate RICO and participation in criminal street gang activity. Three other charges dropped.
- Sentenced to 12 years, 2 years commuted to time served, 10 years probation.
Wunnie Lee (“Slimelife Shawty”): Rapper with lyrics referenced by district attorneys. Entered Alford plea on Dec. 16, 2022.
- Pleaded guilty on one count of conspiracy to violate RICO.
- Sentenced to 10 years, 1 year commuted to time served, 9 years probation.
Sergio Kitchens (“Gunna”): Grammy-nominated rapper whose lyrics became a part of the criminal case. Has recorded on the YSL, 300 Entertainment and Atlantic Records labels. Alleged to be co-leader of YSL gang. Entered Alford plea on Dec. 14, 2022.
- Pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate RICO.
- Sentenced to 5 years, with one year commuted to time served and the rest of the four years of his sentenced suspended.
Walter Murphy (“DK”): Alleged to have co-founded YSL, is former road manager for the record label. Negotiated guilty plea on Dec. 13, 2022.
- Pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate RICO.
- Sentenced to 10 years, 1 year commuted to time served, 9 years probation.
- Previously spent seven years in prison on criminal street gang, aggravated assault and aggravated battery charges (2015).
Not going to trial
Twelve of the 28 named on the original indictment will be tried separately at a later date.
Kahlieff Adams (also known as “Bobby Hunt”): Currently serving life in prison for a 2016 murder committed during a home invasion. He is also accused of the attempted murder of Rashawn “YFN Lucci” Bennett inside the Fulton County Jail.
- Facing four charges: Conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO); attempted murder; and two counts of participation in criminal street gang activity.
- Prior convictions: Murder and participation in gang activity (2017).
- His case was severed due to his attorney, Teombre Calland, being pregnant and because of the unknown timetable for jury selection.
Damone Blalock (“Bali”): Currently serving life in prison for the 2019 murder of Jamari Holmes.
- Facing one charge of conspiracy to violate RICO.
- Prior conviction: Murder (2021).
- His case was severed after falling ill during jury selection.
Javaris Bradford (“Tuda”): Charged with 2015 murder of Donovan Thomas Jr.
- Faces two charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; and murder.
- His case was severed for not having an attorney when trial began.
Justin Cobb (“Duwap”): Charged with 2015 murder of Donovan Thomas Jr., has not been arrested.
- Faces two charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; and murder.
- Prior convictions: Possession and distribution of cocaine (2013); robbery (2014); aggravated assault and possession of firearm (2015).
- Had not been arrested at the time of the trial starting.
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Christian Eppinger (“Bhris”): Accused of shooting an Atlanta police officer in February 2022 while on probation for crimes committed in 2016. Bond was granted in the 2022 case but Eppinger was never released.
- Facing 14 charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; armed Robbery; hijacking a motor vehicle in the first degree; two counts of possession of a firearm by first offender probationer; theft by taking; two counts of attempted murder; two counts of possession of firearm during commission of a felony; three counts of participation in criminal street gang activity; and conspiracy to commit crime.
- Prior convictions: armed robbery and aggravated assault (2016).
- His case was severed after being involved in an investigation that resulted in a deputy being arrested for having a relationship with Eppinger, his lawyer’s laptop was seized as a result.
Miles Farley (“Slato” or “Lil Miles”): Alleged creator of the “Make America Slime Again” clothing line. Charged in 2022 murder of Shymel Drinks.
- Facing five charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; murder; two counts of participation in criminal street gang activity; and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.
- His case was severed after his attorney, Anastasios Manettas, was arrested on April 20 after he allegedly entered the courtroom with some of his prescription medication.
- Farley is the only defendant to have been granted bond at $625,000.
Jevon Fleetwood (“4Tray” or “Psycho”)
- Faces one charge of conspiracy to violate RICO.
- Prior convictions: Possession of firearm (2019); Armed robbery (2019); Criminal street gang, attempt to commit murder (2020); federal armed robbery.
- His case was severed for not having an attorney when trial began.
Damekion Garlington (“Dee” or “SXarefaxe”): Charged in 2022 murder of Shymel Drinks. He is also accused of the attempted murder of Rashawn “YFN Lucci” Bennett inside the Fulton County Jail.
- Faces eight charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; attempted murder; two counts of participation in criminal street gang activity; murder; two counts of participation in criminal street gang activity; and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.
- Prior convictions for criminal street gang activity (2017).
- His case was severed for not having an attorney when trial began.
Demise McMullen (“Nard”): Charged with 2015 murder of Donovan Thomas Jr.
- Faces two charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; and murder.
- Prior convictions for theft by stolen property (2004); cocaine and marijuana (2004); cocaine sales (2004); possession of firearm by a convicted felon (2006); smash and grab burglary (2010); aggravated assault (2015) and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (2016).
- His case was severed for not having an attorney when trial began.
Tenquarius Mender (“Nard” or “Stunner”): Rejected possible plea deal.
- Facing four charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; possession of weapon by incarcerated individual; possession of a telecommunication device by incarcerated individual; and participation in criminal street gang activity.
- Prior convictions: Theft by taking (2016); entering auto (2017) and theft by receiving (2017).
- His case was severed due to his attorney, Nicole Fegan, being pregnant and because of the unknown timetable for jury selection.
Jayden Myrick (“Settrip” or “Jayman”): Currently serving life without parole for the 2018 murder of Christian Broder. He is also accused of the attempted murder of Rashawn “YFN Lucci” Bennett inside the Fulton County Jail.
- Facing five charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; attempted murder; possession of a weapon by incarcerated individual; and two counts of participation in criminal street gang activity.
- Prior convictions: Murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault and 13 other charges (2018).
- His case was severed after a mental health evaluation and admitting to the judge that he hadn’t taken his medication in several months.
Jimmy Winfrey (“Roscoe”): Once convicted of firing shots at Lil Wayne’s tour bus in 2015.
- Faces four charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act; possession of a firearm by convicted felon; and participation in criminal street gang activity.
- Prior convictions: Criminal street gang activity (2015); narcotics; and controlled substance.
- Had not been arrested at the time the trial started.
Charges dropped
Cordarius Dorsey (“Polo” or “Juicy”): Currently serving life in prison for the 2019 murder of Sulaiman Jalloh and for the 2020 murder of Xavier Turner.
- Faced two charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO; and conspiracy to commit a crime.
- Prior convictions: Armed robbery (twice), aggravated assault, weapons charges and murder (convicted in 2022).
- Charges were dropped after he was convicted of murder a second time in September.
