YFN Lucci pleaded guilty to one gang-related charge in Atlanta on Tuesday as part of a plea deal reached with prosecutors, several media outlets including the Associated press, The New York Times and CNN have reported.
The rapper, whose real name is Rayshawn Bennett, was charged with murder, assault and racketeering in 2021 as part of a grand indictment filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis against alleged Blood gang members. He then surrendered to the authorities and has remained in prison ever since.
Bennett’s plea deal, reached during jury selection, allowed prosecutors to drop 12 of the 13 charges against him, his attorneys told PEOPLE. He pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.
YFN Lucci.
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“After three years of pretrial proceedings, more than two weeks of jury selection and three years in prison awaiting a jury trial, today the prosecution finally relented and dismissed the murder and RICO charges against Rayshawn Bennett,” said the rapper’s attorney, Drew Findling. , Gabe Banks and Marissa Goldberg, tell PEOPLE in a statement.
According to NYT, Bennett agreed to serve 10 years in prison followed by another decade of probation. His attorneys tell PEOPLE he could be released much sooner, in part because of the time he’s already spent in prison.
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YFN Lucci.
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Willis’ office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Bennett’s case is tied to ongoing racketeering charges against the Atlanta rap collective YSL, also brought by Willis.
CNN reported that prosecutors claim his alleged Blood gang sector clashed with YSL, which reportedly discussed asking rapper Young Thug for permission to kill Bennett.
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YFN Lucci. Earl Gibson III/Getty Images
The legal team’s statement to PEOPLE continues: “As he has maintained for three years, Mr. Bennett will NOT cooperate in any other case. By entering into this decision, he will be eligible for parole in as little as four months.”
“The prosecution also agreed that he should be released on parole early, which will allow him to return to his children, family and career,” the statement concluded.
Since his debut in 2014, Bennett has earned top 15 albums on The Billboard 200 with 2018 Ray Ray from Summerhill. He also scored three wickets at Board Top 100 chart with the singles “Key to the Streets” featuring Migos and Trouble, “Everyday We Lit” featuring PnB Rock and “Wet.”
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