One of the last YSL defendants sentenced in historic Ga. case
ATLANTA, Ga. - One of the last remaining defendants in the historic YSL trial was sentenced Wednesday after accepting an Alford non-negotiated plea.
Damekion Garlington, also known as Sxarfaxe, was among 28 people indicted in May 2022 for alleged involvement in what prosecutors described as a violent street gang.
Defense attorneys maintained the crew is part of a legitimate non-criminal record label known as Young Stoner Life.
Garlington was originally charged with murder and attempted murder. Both charges were reduced to aggravated assault as part of the plea.
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Fulton County Judge Paige Whitaker handed down a sentence of 20 years, with five to serve in prison, followed by 15 years on probation.
Damekion Garlington, also known as Sxarfaxe, appeared back in court on Wednesday, after accepting an Alford non-negotiated plea.
Whitaker also added five additional years to serve if probation is not successfully completed.
Garlington was ordered not to any of the victims or their family, avoid with gang , and refrain from any gang activity, paraphernalia, and associations.
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He must also stay out of Fulton County during the period he is on probation, gain full-time employment within 6 months of getting out of jail, and complete general education development.
Garlington is one of the last defendants charged with a slew of crimes in the indictment, ranging from murder to participation in street gang activity and violation of Georgia’s racketeering act.
The trial had centered around rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams. In October 2024, he pleaded guilty to several charges and no contest to multiple others in what had become the longest criminal trial in Georgia history.
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The rapper was sentenced to 40 years, with five years to serve in jail. His sentence was commuted to the time he’d already served behind bars. He was also sentenced to 15 years of probation. If he completes it successfully, it will also be commuted to time served.
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