Young Thug's Legal Battle: Prosecutors Want Evidence Reintroduced In Case

BY Erika Marie 7.0K Views
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Young Thug
Those drug and gun charges are haunting the rapper.

He thought he had a minor victory in court after a judge agreed to grant his motion to suppress evidence in his case, but prosecutors are coming for Young Thug once again. According to The Blast, they're appealing that decision, one that was made after the rapper's team called into question the legality of the traffic stop that got him into this mess in the first place.

For those of you that may not know what's been going on, let's recap: Back in September 2017, Young Thug was pulled over for what cops say was a window tint violation. They allegedly smelled an odor of marijuana and when they searched the vehicle they found drugs and arrested the rapper. A grand jury later indicted Young Thug on eight felony charges that included possession and intent to distribute meth, weed, and hydrocodone along with possession of amphetamine, Alparzolam, codeine and possession of a firearm.

DeKalb County Sheriffs Office via Getty Images

Young Thug, real name Jeffery Lamar Williams, filed a motion in December 2018 saying that arresting officers never read him his rights and didn't have probable cause to search his vehicle, therefore the evidence against him should be suppressed.  The judge granted Thug’s motion “as the stop of the vehicle was illegal in violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution.”

The order also stated that the reason behind why the officers stopped the rapper in the first place was questionable. “Officer Fikes testified, unequivocally, that the sole season for stopping the vehicle was based upon a supposed window tint violation … However, there was no credible evidence present, whatsoever, how this vehicle’s window tint violated.”

Now, prosecutors are attempting to have that decision overturned so that evidence against Young Thug may be introduced in his trial. The rapper has denied the drug charges, yet the judge has ordered him to submit to weekly drug tests and to enroll in an out-patient treatment program. The case may still go to trial. If convicted, the rapper could be locked up for a while.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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