ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Even when it’s in recess, Atlanta’s trial of the 21st century never fails to make headlines.
The latest twist in the trial of superstar rapper Young Thug has come in the form of a former Fulton County deputy who is accused of taking bribes in exchange for delivering contraband - including drugs - to inmates. One of those inmates is alleged to be Marquavious Huey, a co-defendant in Young Thug’s trial.
Karmen Nicelle Bailey, 31, a former Fulton County sheriff’s deputy and detention officers, has been charged with four counts of violation of oath, two counts of bribery, and two counts of obtaining/procuring/giving inmates prohibited items without authorization.
Bailey was arrested Oct. 4, 2024.
“Ms. Bailey indirectly received money from inmate Marquavious Huey by accepting $500 from Ms. Malissa Huey (via Apple Pay) on May 6, 2024,” Bailey’s arrest report said. Marissa Huey is Marquavious Huey’s mother.
“This would cause a reasonable person to believe it influence her job performance because Ms. Bailey failed to perform the official action of seizing contraband (e.g., substance appearing to be white pills) from inmate Huey,” the report said.
Young Thug - real name Jeffery Williams - was arrested on May 9, 2022, along with 27 other suspected gang members in Buckhead as part of a 56-count indictment. The trial itself began on Nov. 27, 2023. Defense attorneys have repeatedly raised concerns about the trial’s length, and Fulton County prosecutors still have more than 100 witnesses to call.
Prosecutors are attempting to show YSL is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous offenses. Defense attorneys say YSL is not a gang but simply the name of a record label. Williams is also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of codeine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun.
The trial’s jury selection lasted longer than any other in Georgia history, and actual witness testimony itself will likely surpass state records. Both records were set by the Atlanta Public Schools teacher scandal and trial of 2014-15.
The trial – which has been repeatedly plagued by arrests, charges and disruptions – began on Nov. 27, with an opening statement from Fulton County Assistant Chief District Attorney Adriane Love. Defense attorneys have repeatedly raised concerns that the trial could go years based on the number of witnesses the state plans to call up.
In April, prosecutors shortened their witness list to about 200 total witnesses; initially it was around 700. About 40 witnesses have since been called, and estimates are prosecutors still have more than 100 they want to call. That’s on top of how many witnesses the defense still plans to call.
Atlanta News First is broadcasting gavel-to-gavel coverage of Young Thug’s trial on ANF+ live stream and YouTube channel, and on Roku, Fire TV and AppleTV. Download our Atlanta News First app for the latest details on Young Thug’s historic trial.
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This story has been updated.
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