Atlanta rapper Gunna and his legal team are insisting that he is an innocent man and that the legal system is wrong for using his lyrics against him in his latest arrest.
As we’ve been reporting, Gunna was named in a sweeping gang indictment in Atlanta, that also included fellow rapper Young Thug.
Two days after being named in the 28-person indictment, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Kitchens, surrendered to them around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11.
The rapper is being charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
Additionally, the 88-page and 56-count indictment alleges that Gunna committed theft by receiving stolen property, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of hydrocodone with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and participation in criminal street gang activity.
Since appearing in court on Wednesday morning, Gunna, who is being held without bond, and his legal team are insisting that he is an innocent and charitable man, and that the only mischievous people in this case are the police and the legal system trying to use his music and lyrics against him.
Per TMZ, Gunna’s attorneys tell the news site that “Mr. Sergio Kitchens, known as Gunna, is innocent. The indictment falsely portrays his music as part of a criminal conspiracy.” They add that “Mr. Kitchens has been an advocate for his community, and it is our privilege to advocate for him.”
The rapper’s legal team (comprised of Donald F. Samuel, John A. Garland and Kristen W. Novay) also say that Gunna is known for his many contributions to his community. They noted him hosting a first-ever local free in-school grocery and clothing store, which feeds over 400 children a week; plus him hosting nationally sponsored giveaways for victims of disasters and food shortages.
As mentioned, the indictment named at least 28 people, including Gunna and Young Thug, along with other members of YSL, fully known as Young Slime Life.
As for Thugger, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, he is being accused of conspiring to associate together and with others for the common purposes of illegally obtaining money and property through a pattern of racketeering activity and conducting and participating in the enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity.
Also included in the indictment is a wide-ranging list of 181 acts that prosecutors claim were committed beginning back in 2013, with all acts a part of the alleged RICO conspiracy to further the gang’s interests.
While the lyrics the courts are using against Gunna have not been made readily available, we do know that among the lyrics listed in the indictment and made public, are those from Young Thug.
The read: “I killed his man in front of his momma, like f**k lil bruh, sister and his cousin,” and “my trigger start itching.”