Deamonte Kendrick, known in the music world as rapper Yak Gotti, was released from jail on Wednesday night (April 9), following the resolution of two separate legal matters. His release comes months after being cleared in the high-profile YSL RICO trial.
Yak Gotti was one of several individuals named in the RICO case involving the Young Slime Life (YSL) collective. He received a 12-year sentence, with nine months to be served in custody. Having received credit for time served, he will now serve the remainder of his sentence on probation, which may terminate after five years if no violations occur.
In addition to the RICO case, Kendrick also faced an aggravated battery charge stemming from a December 2024 jailhouse incident. Reports indicated he sustained minor injuries from a sharp object during the altercation. He later pleaded guilty to the charge.
His attorney, Nicole Westmoreland, confirmed that all remaining charges against Kendrick have either been dismissed or will not be pursued by prosecutors.
Following his release, Yak Gotti expressed gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose.
"I'm reborn," he said. "We've been through a lot in the last three years. I appreciate my support system—my family, my friends, my loved ones—and I'm just reborn. It's just another chance at life, and I promise I won't let the people who supported me down. Let's get it."
Source: YouTube
