East Atlanta rapper Young Nudy was arrested yesterday (February 3), CBS News reports. DeKalb County, Georgia records, viewed by Pitchfork, show that Quantavious Thomas (Nudy’s birth name) was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and violation of the Georgia Gang Act. According to CBS News, Thomas was “pulled over in a vehicle and arrested” as part of “an operation targeting” him and two other men.
Yesterday, 21 Savage, who is Quantavious Thomas’ cousin, was arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to CBS News, 21 was in the car with Thomas and the two other men, which led to his arrest by ICE. In a statement, ICE claimed that 21 is a “United Kingdom national” who “is unlawfully present in the U.S.” The statement also said that 21 “initially entered the U.S. legally in July 2005, but subsequently failed to depart under the terms of his nonimmigrant visa and he became unlawfully present in the U.S. when his visa expired in July 2006.”
21 Savage’s lawyer stated, “We are working diligently to get [21 Savage] out of detention while we work with the authorities to clear up any misunderstandings.”
Thomas’ lawyer told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “We believe that Young Nudy is innocent and this is a case of mistaken identity. Young Nudy's legal team is working closely with law enforcement to ensure this case does not get blown out of proportion.”
Pitchfork has been unable to verify ICE’s claims that 21 Savage is a “United Kingdom national.” In a 2016 interview with The FADER, 21 revealed that his mother is of Dominican descent.
Pitchfork has contacted representatives for Young Nudy, 21 Savage, and DeKalb County.
