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DA claims witness in Young Thug’s RICO case is being threatened

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Young Thug‘s attorney and the Fulton County district attorney are expressing concern over the safety of an affiliate of the rapper’s Young Slime Life gang. Thug was arrested under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act in July. According to WSB-TV, the identity of a cooperating witness in his RICO case was revealed, prompting a slew of threatening messages.

“YSL enthusiasts and/or actual gang members are threatening someone they believe is cooperating with the state,” District Attorney Fani Willis said. “And not only that person, but their very small children.”

The identity leak reportedly occurred during the discovery procedure, in which the defense and prosecution exchanged evidence that will be presented in January’s trial. 

“This is putting people at risk and it’s poisoning the jury pool,” attorney Brian Steel told WSB-TV. “Please stop immediately. Whomever is placing items of discovery online is not doing anybody a favor. It is totally inappropriate to try to try this case in social media. This will be tried fairly and justly in Fulton County Superior Court.”

An investigation is underway to determine the individual behind the leak. Steps are being taken to protect the cooperating witness.

“We are going to have to do things to make sure that the witnesses are safe,” Willis said. “We need people to understand that they can cooperate, they can do the right thing and the state will be here to protect them.”

As previously reported, Thugger, Gunna and 26 other YSL members were arrested for allegedly violating Georgia’s criminal racketeering law. Thug faces several charges, including participation in a criminal street gang, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a machine gun and drug possession. Thug has maintained his innocence, but the judge has repeatedly denied his bond requests.

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