Federal prosecutors on Thursday accused rapper Pooh Shiesty and eight others of robbing three men at gunpoint and kidnapping them earlier this year in Texas following a contract dispute involving rapper Gucci Mane’s record label.
Rapper Pooh Shiesty, legal name Lontrell Williams, Jr., was one of eight people arrested in Dallas, Memphis, and Nashville. Police said they are still searching for another individual.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for North Texas held a press conference to share details about the Jan. 10 incident.
Three music industry professionals, including Rapper Gucci Mane, legal name Radric Davis, traveled to Dallas for a scheduled business meeting to discuss the terms of a recording contract. Davis is only identified in the Criminal Complaint as “R.D.” The complaint also identifies Davis’ record label “1017.”
Prosecutors say Pooh Shiesty has been signed to Davis’ record label since approximately 2021.
Prosecutors say Pooh Shiesty (Williams, Jr.) and eight co-conspirators “executed a coordinated armed takeover.” The other individuals arrested were identified as Lontrell Williams, Sr.; Rodney Wright, Jr. (aka “Big30”); Kedarius Waters; Terrance Rodgers; Damarian Gipson; Demarcus Glover; Kordae Johnson; and Darrion McDaniel.
Prosecutors claim the group had a pistol and forced “R.D.” to sign a contract at gunpoint. They claim the other co-conspirators robbed the other two victims of Rolex watches, jewelry, and other valuables.
One victim was allegedly choked to the point of near unconsciousness.
The victims were eventually ordered to leave the studio and taken to their vehicle.
Prosecutors claim a defendant barricaded the studio door to prevent the victims from escaping, calling Pooh Shiesty (Williams, Jr.) the “ringleader of the conspiracy.” Williams, Jr. was on home confinement at the time of the alleged offense for a prior firearms charge and conviction in Florida. He was released from federal prison in October after serving three years of his five-year prison sentence; the terms of his home detention said that he could not commit another federal offense or possess a firearm.
“As alleged, nine defendants traveled to Dallas, Texas, to kidnap and rob victims who thought they were coming into town for a business meeting,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Instead of discussing business in a civil manner, the defendants resorted to violence and intimidation to achieve their purported business objectives. For anyone contemplating using violence and intimidation as a business practice, I’m here to tell you that it will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted in the Northern District of Texas. This case also highlights the outstanding contributions of my colleagues across the United States, including in the Western District of Tennessee, Middle District of Tennessee, and the Eastern District of Texas, as well as the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force and our state and local partners.”
Police also raided Williams, Jr.’s home in Memphis.
Pooh Shiesty’s father, Lonnie Williams, Sr., was among the nine individuals arrested on April 1. Prosecutors say Williams, Sr., helped plan and execute the kidnapping, citing car rental records they say show Williams, Sr., rented the car. They also say surveillance video captured the group near the location of the alleged crimes.
Prosecutors claim the alleged suspects posted the stolen goods on social media.
Prosecutors say electronic evidence shows Pooh Shiesty at the location of the incident, in violation of his home detention conditions, and cell phone records and license plate reader data corroborates the travel from Tennessee to Dallas. They also say fingerprint evidence recovered at the crime scene matches at least two of the defendants.
“This case should serve as a warning to others who believe that using violence and intimidation tactics to rob others in our community is a viable way to conduct business,” prosecutors said.
This case was a partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the Dallas Violent Crime Task Force, the Dallas and Memphis police, and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.
“Strong partnerships with local law enforcement are key to reducing violent crime,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The collaboration of multiple agencies ensured the successful arrest of several individuals in both Texas and Tennessee. The FBI remains dedicated to investigating violent offenders and holding them accountable.”
Pooh Shiesty did not immediately return an emailed request for comment. He was on home confinement for a prior firearms conspiracy conviction out of Florida at the time of the alleged confrontation in Texas.
Bradford Cohen, an attorney for Pooh Shiesty during a previous case, did not immediately reply to an email and phone call for comment from The Associated Press Thursday, and publicists for Gucci Mane didn’t immediately respond to the AP’s emailed requests for comment.
Police did not identify the victims in this case. This is a developing story.
