Many people in the music industry have been charged and convicted of drug crimes over the last few decades. In Atlanta, rapper Young Thug was indicted on multiple drug charges stemming from an arrest last year in Brookhaven.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the rapper whose legal name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, was charged in DeKalb County.
His co-defendants were listed as rapper Sergio “Gunna” Kitchens and Cedric Jones, according to information derived from online court records. Williams’ was charged with eight drug-related felonies.
The AJC report said the rapper is accused of possession of methamphetamine, hydrocodone and marijuana with the intent to distribute. He was also charged with possession of amphetamine, a generic of the medically prescribed drug Xanax and codeine. Young Thug is charged with the possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Drug offenses of this nature are taken very seriously in Georgia and carry high sentences.
Young Thug was arrested in September 2017 during a traffic stop. The Journal-Constitution reported he had been arrested over another traffic stop in 2016. He was allegedly found with drugs and nearly $50,000 in cash.
The 27-year-old rapper was arrested in the same year on a warrant for the failure to appear in court. That appearance stemmed from claims he threatened to shoot a mall security guard the previous year, according to reports.
Drug possession laws in Georgia are notoriously tough. You don’t have to have narcotics in your pocket or your hand to be found guilty of an offense. Georgia defines possession as “actual” or “possessive.”
In other words, you can be charged with possession if the drugs are found in your home or in your vehicle, as long the prosecution can successfully make a case that they were in your control.
Even possession of more than one ounce of marijuana is a felony offense in Georgia carrying jail time.
Possession of under an ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor with potential penalties involving up to $1,000 in fines and a year in prison. The possession of Schedule 1 or 2 drugs is a felony offense carrying a sentencing range of 2 to 15 years on a first offense.
Drug possession with the intent to distribute is a more serious charge than simple possession. A first offense is treated as a felony carrying five to 30 years in prison.
If you or a family member are charged with any drug offense in Georgia, you may be facing a long prison sentence. It’s important to take these charges seriously and to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent you. Call us today at (404) 913-1529.