Rapper Meek Mill Pleads Guilty to Avoid Prison

Meek Mill has pleaded guilty to the misdemeanour charge of possessing a firearm without a licence, accepting a plea deal yesterday, 27 August, that will see him avoid serving additional time in prison.

The 32-year-old US rapper – real name Robert Rihmeek Williams – has been on probation for most of his adult life, which started when he was arrested for allegedly pointing a gun at police when he was 19-years-old.

He was jailed in 2009 at age 22, after being arrested on gun and drug-related charges. He was then given a 10-year probation period, but was released on parole after serving only five months.

During his probation, he became an award-winning musician and activist.

A documentary series – called “Free Meek” – about his fight with the criminal justice system was released on 9 August.

Williams took to Twitter yesterday after accepting the plea agreement and said: “I’m extremely grateful that my long legal battle is finally behind me and I appreciate that it has sparked a much-needed discussion about probation reform and the inequalities that exist within our two Americas.”