Rapper Gunna Takes Plea Deal For RICO Charges, Does Not Agree To Testify

Previously indicted rapper Gunna, born Sergio Giavanni Kitchens, will spend the holiday season with his family as he has been freed from jail after taking a plea deal.

Back in May, the music star was among 28 people associated with Young Thug's alleged criminal street gang, Young Slime Life – YSL – who were all charged in a 56-count RICO case. While he was initially denied bond and later denied release from jail ahead of his trial in January 2023, he recently pleaded guilty to a single charge of racketeering and was released the same day.

On Wednesday, December 14, Gunna met with a judge and entered a negotiated plea, called an Alford plea, where he does not admit to committing the crime but accepts that pleading guilty will benefit him.

He faced one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Act and has been sentenced to five years in prison, although a year was changed to time served. The remaining four years were suspended and will be bound by specific terms, including 500 hours of community service.

Following the ruling, the Georgia-born songwriter released a statement indicating that he had agreed to be "truthful" but needed to make it "perfectly clear" that he had not cooperated in any way. He said:

"I have NOT made any statements, have NOT been interviewed, have NOT cooperated, have NOT agreed to testify or be a witness for or against any party in the case, and have absolutely NO intention of being involved in the trial process in any way."

Although Gunna claims he will not testify, WBSTV reports that bearing witness is one of the conditions of his trial; however, he can call for the Fifth Amendment. In the same statement, he confessed that, upon joining YSL in 2016, he did not view the label as a gang but "more like a group of people from metro Atlantic who had common interests and artistic aspirations."

The "Drip or Drown 2" star added that he focused solely on the entertainment aspect of YSL, particularly "rap artists who wrote and performed music that exaggerated and glorified urban life in the Black community." And despite the group's fallout with the law, he says he will always cherish his affiliation with YSL music.

During the Wednesday court appearance, the judge read out the conditions of the plea deal, which Gunna responded to by swearing he did not know of any YSL members or associates committing any crime to promote the gang.

Even so, he appeared to separate himself from "YSL the gang" versus "YSL the label." And in his acknowledgment of the signed statement, he conceded, "I recognize, accept, and deeply regret that my talent and music indirectly furthered YSL the gang to the detriment of my community. YSL as a gang must end."

As for the plea agreement, it mandates the hip hop star not to carry a gun during his sentence, and if violated, the district attorney has the right to rescind his suspended sentence. Earlier in June, The Blast reported that Gunna voiced out after his indictment via a touching message to mark his 29th birthday.

He wrote that 2022 was one of the best years of his life as he "had the whole world pushing P," a reference to the top song off his album "DS4Ever." Unfortunately, the RICO charges happened, putting a break in his career; still, he maintained his innocence and promised to continue fighting for his freedom.

Gunna's case naturally drew the attention of many, including those in the entertainment industry. Among such persons which The Blast reported was Kim Kardashian, who showed support by tweeting about his freedom.

As fans are aware, Kardashian, who is studying to be an attorney, has shown interest in the legal and prison sector by using her influence and knowledge to assist in the freedom of prisoners. 

And in standing up for the "Drip Too Hard" songster, she wrote on Twitter, "#FreeGunna," adding two emojis indicating "Free P," in reference to his hit song, "Pushin P." Many supporters of Gunna wasted no time in taking to the comments to express gratitude for the heartwarming gesture, although several questioned her seriousness.