DALLAS (AP) — 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. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dallas declined to name the victims, referring to them only by initials. According to authorities, one victim is identified as R.D., the owner of 1017 Records, which belongs to Gucci Mane, whose real name is Radric Delantic Davis.
The victims in this case came to Dallas to conduct legitimate business and they were met with firearms and violence, stated Ryan Raybould, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, during a press conference.
The alleged confrontation took place on January 10 after the victims traveled to Dallas for what they believed was a business meeting, as outlined in the federal indictment. Prosecutors allege that Pooh Shiesty, whose legal name is Lontrell Williams Jr., organized the meeting to discuss his contract with 1017 Records.
Inside the studio, Williams Jr. and several co-conspirators executed a coordinated armed takeover. During the incident, one of the defendants allegedly blocked the door to prevent the victims from escaping. Prosecutors reported that Williams Jr. brandished an AK-style pistol and forced one victim to sign a release from their recording contract, while the group stole watches, jewelry, and cash. One victim was physically assaulted, choked to near unconsciousness.
Following the robbery, defendants were allegedly spotted on social media flaunting stolen goods.
As of Thursday, Pooh Shiesty remained on home confinement due to a prior firearms conspiracy conviction in Florida. The rapper’s associates faced various charges, and an FBI investigation continued. Gucci Mane, a prominent figure in trap music, has been described as a major influence in the genre, with a career marked by numerous hits and successful artists emerging under his label, such as Young Thug.
The victims in this case came to Dallas to conduct legitimate business and they were met with firearms and violence, stated Ryan Raybould, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, during a press conference.
The alleged confrontation took place on January 10 after the victims traveled to Dallas for what they believed was a business meeting, as outlined in the federal indictment. Prosecutors allege that Pooh Shiesty, whose legal name is Lontrell Williams Jr., organized the meeting to discuss his contract with 1017 Records.
Inside the studio, Williams Jr. and several co-conspirators executed a coordinated armed takeover. During the incident, one of the defendants allegedly blocked the door to prevent the victims from escaping. Prosecutors reported that Williams Jr. brandished an AK-style pistol and forced one victim to sign a release from their recording contract, while the group stole watches, jewelry, and cash. One victim was physically assaulted, choked to near unconsciousness.
Following the robbery, defendants were allegedly spotted on social media flaunting stolen goods.
As of Thursday, Pooh Shiesty remained on home confinement due to a prior firearms conspiracy conviction in Florida. The rapper’s associates faced various charges, and an FBI investigation continued. Gucci Mane, a prominent figure in trap music, has been described as a major influence in the genre, with a career marked by numerous hits and successful artists emerging under his label, such as Young Thug.
