Derontae Bebee reaches plea deal in Young Thug YSL case
Defendant reaches plea deal in YSL RICO case
A change of plea at the Fulton County Courthouse Friday afternoon in the young slime life RICO case centered around Atlanta rapper young thug. One of the defendants had a change of heart and pleaded guilty Friday. This deal came less than 48 hours after a jury got seated after a 10-month process.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - One of the people believed to be part of a criminal gang named Young Slime Life and indicted on RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charges in Fulton County along with rapper Young Thug has reached a plea deal.
Derontae Bebee, also known as "Bee" or "B," has pleaded guilty and sentenced to 15 years, 5 years in prison and 10 years probation.
"Do you give this guilty plea freely and voluntarily this afternoon," Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville asked Bebee.
"Yes," Bebee replied.
The surprise plea deal now leaves six defendants, left including Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, in the YSL RICO case which officially goes to trial later this month. A jury of 12 people and 6 alternates were seated on Wednesday after months of jury selection.
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In addition to the RICO charge, Bebee was also charged with theft by receiving stolen property, violation of Georgia's controlled substances act, participation in criminal street gang activity, armed robbery, hijacking of a motor vehicle and gun charges.
"It took a lot, so it was right down to the wire," said Bebee’s attorney Durante Partridge. "We've worked very hard on this."
As part of the plea agreement, he could be forced to testify during the trial, but his attorney says prosecutors told him they would not do that.
"Fifteen serve 5 versus the opportunity to serve life plus in prison, you know, we definitely moved in the right direction," Partridge said.
Derontae Bebee appears in a Fulton County Courtroom. (FOX 5)
After accepting his plea, Judge Glanville lectured Bebee that it is time to turn over a new leaf.
"You're 23 years old, you've had enough trials in your life at this point in time," he said. "Time to be able to reclaim your own life."
Partridge says Bebee is taking responsibility for what he has done. He says his client plans to follow the judge’s advice.
"This is an opportunity for a second chance," he said. "When he was younger, he made some mistakes which led him to be a convicted felon, now he's 23. He's still young, still has an opportunity to turn it around."
Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, and 27 others were initially charged with 56 violations of Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Since then, many of his co-defendants have pled guilty and accepted deals.
ALL YOUNG THUG TRIAL STORIES
The RICO indictment was filed on May 9, 2022. Initially, Williams was only named in counts one (conspiracy to violate RICO) and 56 (participation in criminal street gang activity). Count 56 alleges that he was in a position of leadership within YSL and was either directly or indirectly involved in acts of murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, theft, sale of drugs and other criminal acts.
He was later indicted on six additional counts after searches of his home. If Williams is found guilty on all counts, he could face life in prison.
The YSL RICO trial is expected to begin on Nov. 27.