Rapper Pooh Shiesty, whose real name is Lontrell Williams Jr., and eight others have been arrested on federal charges of kidnapping and armed robbery targeting music industry figures in Dallas, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Key Takeaways
Rapper Pooh Shiesty and eight others were arrested for kidnapping and armed robbery targeting music industry figures in Dallas, including rapper Gucci Mane. The incident occurred on January 10 during an alleged business meeting about a recording contract.
The alleged victims include rapper Gucci Mane, identified by his initials R.D. in court documents as the owner of 1017 Records, a label under Atlantic Records. The incident occurred on January 10 after Gucci Mane and two other industry professionals traveled to Dallas for what they believed was a business meeting regarding Pooh Shiesty's recording contract.
According to federal prosecutors, once inside the studio, Pooh Shiesty produced an AK-style pistol and forced one victim to sign a release from his recording contract at gunpoint. Others were robbed of Rolex watches, jewelry, cash, and other items. One victim was choked to near unconsciousness while another had valuables stolen. The suspects barricaded the door to prevent victims from escaping.
The FBI's investigation revealed that Pooh Shiesty's father helped arrange the meeting and printed contract documents used in the alleged extortion. Surveillance footage, cellphone records, and electronic monitoring data placed several suspects at the scene despite Pooh Shiesty being on home confinement for a prior firearms conviction. Social media posts by suspects displaying stolen cash and jewelry further implicated them.
Big30, born Rodney Wright Jr., allegedly barricaded the studio door with his body to prevent Gucci Mane and the other victims from escaping. The other men involved in the ambush also pulled out firearms and robbed the other victims of Rolex watches, jewelry, cash, and other high-value items.
In 2020, Gucci Mane signed Pooh Shiesty to his record label 1017 Records after several of his singles gained traction on social media. The rapper's 2021 breakout hit, 'Back in Blood,' climbed the Billboard charts, and Williams Jr. went multiplatinum.
Pooh Shiesty received a five-year prison sentence on firearms conspiracy charges out of the Southern District of Florida in 2021. In October, he was released early after serving three years on the condition that he would serve home detention. According to the complaint, evidence used to charge him included electronic monitoring data placing Williams Jr. at the Dallas studio, which violates his home detention conditions.
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