To some people, it was surprising when the 29-year-old artist was released from jail on Wednesday, (12.14.22) based on the severity of the case. The 56-count indictment alleges that YSL members were involved in murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft, drug dealing, carjacking, and witness intimidation.
However, Gunna whose legal name is Sergio Giavanni Kitchens was only charged with one count of racketeering. According to the authorities, he allegedly received stolen property and was in possession of drugs — including methamphetamine, marijuana, and hydrocodone — with the intent to distribute. He was arrested on May 11.
Despite only having that one charge, he was previously denied bond by the Georgia court system at least three times. This time around Gunna was released after reaching a plea deal which he clarified in a statement as an Alford Plea Deal
“I have chosen to end my own RICO case with an Alford plea and end my personal ordeal by publicly acknowledging my association with YSL,” Gunna said in his statement. He continued: “An Alford plea in my case is the entry of a guilty plea to the one charge against me, which is in my best interest, while at the same time maintaining my innocence toward the same charge. I love and cherish my association with YSL music, and always will. I look at this as an opportunity to give back to my community and educate young men and women that ‘gangs’ and violence only lead to destruction.”
There was a reason Gunna felt a need to release a statement explaining how and why he was released from prison. For him and other artists who come from a certain environment and either lived or have detailed a criminal background in their music, being called a snitch is a bad thing. The stigma of being labeled a “rat” is costly and can be detrimental to your music career in Hip Hop.
Gunna’s lawyer also released a statement on his behalf stating he didn’t cooperate with the authorities, but it didn’t help.
Since his release, there have been innuendos and blunt assertions that his statements got him free and simultaneously hurt the cases of his comrades.
It didn’t help that a video of his appearance in court went viral and showed him making statements that weren’t favorable to his associates.