Two weeks before the RICO trial against alleged gang Young Slime Life is set to begin, a seventh defendant has entered a negotiated guilty plea.
Antonio Sledge, 41, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to 15 years on probation.
As part of the guilty plea, he agreed to testify truthfully if called upon to do so at trial, possess no guns, commit no criminal acts and submit to random drug screenings. If he tests positive for any drug, he is to enter drug rehab within 30 days.
Conditions also include a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. unless he is working, going to school or a medical emergency arises; and no contact with any of the co-defendants.
The guilty plea on the gun charge can be withdrawn if he meets the conditions of the deal after the trial. Sledge was convicted in 2018 on aggravated assault and participation of street gang activity charges, Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love said.
During a hearing Wednesday, Love read a series of “factual acknowledgements” made by Sledge as part of his negotiated plea.
Sledge has been a member or associated with YSL since 2012. He acknowledged he appeared on a music video with two co-defendants holding a gun he used in a drive-by shooting targeting a rival gang member.
As part of the plea agreement, Sledge acknowledged he was told members of YSL met at the McDonald’s on Cleveland Avenue to discuss the murder of Donovan Thomas on Jan. 10, 2015. Thomas, who is believed to have been an associate of a rival gang, was shot and killed in a parking lot of McDaniel Street.
Co-defendants Javaris Bradford, Justin Cobb, Deamonte Kendrick, Demise McMullen and Shannon Stillwell are all charged with murder in Thomas’ shooting.
Sledge also acknowledged he personally knows one or more YSL associates killed Thomas on behalf of YSL and that he and other YSL associates gathered at Young Thug’s home after the murder. At his home, Sledge acknowledged Young Thug gave him and other associates cash to “lay low.”
Sledge acknowledged that two gas stations on Cleveland Avenue are used by YSL associates to sell drugs and do not permit other gangs to operate.
Sledge’s attorney Derek Wright said Sledge has eight children, including five who are minors, and that his client wants to return to his family and leave all of this behind.
“He is very anxious to get back to his family. His outlook on this is some childish things done in the past have come to bite him and he has grown out of some of those childish things,” Wright said. “After this trial and all this is over, you will not see him again.”
He is expected to be released from jail Wednesday.
Atlanta rappers Slimelife Shawty, Gunna, and Lil Duke; Walter Murphy and Quantavious Grier entered negotiated pleas before Christmas. Most have already been released from jail.
The negotiated guilty pleas bring the remaining number of defendants in the YSL case to 21. The original indictment charged 28 people, including Atlanta rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams.
For the second day in a row, proceedings were derailed due to health concerns and problems. On Tuesday, Judge Ural Glanville, who had bronchitis, sent everyone home after one of the defendants, Jayden Myrick, reported feeling ill.
On Wednesday, proceedings were delayed as the court and jail worked to have defendants who had tested positive for COVID-19 appear via Zoom. At least three defendants tested positive for COVID-19 and could not be present in the courtroom for Wednesday’s hearing.
A fourth defendant was having separate health issues related to his leg.
Defendants could waive their presence for the hearing and have their lawyers represent them, but some chose not to. Their attorneys also appeared via Zoom after being in close contact with their clients.
A former GBI forensic firearms expert was qualified to testify during trial before the judge ended proceedings for the day. All of the state’s witnesses, except one, have been qualified as experts so far.
One of the defendants, Rodalius Ryan, told Glanville Wednesday he wanted to change attorneys or represent himself but later decided against it. Ryan’s attorney, Angela D’Williams, told Glanville that they had “a difference of opinion on legal strategies” and felt Ryan didn’t understand that he couldn’t share information with relatives about his case.
Glanville explained that she couldn’t because there is no attorney-client privilege with relatives, only with the client. There are still some defendants who have no attorneys.
Prosecutors have argued that YSL is a gang and Young Thug is one of its leaders and founders. Defense attorneys say it’s just a record label.
Thursday will be the last day of hearings, with the courthouse closed Friday and Monday for the New Year’s holiday. Jury selection is set to begin Jan. 4.
