Rapper Gucci Mane was allegedly kidnapped and robbed at gunpoint in a Dallas music studio in January, the US Department of Justice announced Thursday, April 2, with fellow rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big30 among nine people charged in connection with the incident.
US Attorney Ryan Raybould told a press conference that the alleged attack took place on January 10 when Pooh Shiesty, real name Lontrell Williams Jr., invited three music industry professionals, including Gucci Mane, to the studio for a business meeting to discuss the terms of his record deal.
What followed, according to Raybould and a federal complaint obtained by PEOPLEwas anything but a business meeting.
Shiesty and his alleged co-conspirators carried out what the DOJ described as “a coordinated armed takeover,” forcing one of the victims to sign a release from his record deal at gunpoint.
“The remaining conspirators displayed firearms and robbed the other victims of Rolex watches, jewelry, cash and other valuables,” Raybould said.
“One of the victims was actually choked to near unconsciousness by one of the defendants.” Big30, born Rodney Lamont Wright Jr., allegedly barricaded the studio door to prevent the victims from escaping.
To make the alleged offense more notable, Shiesty, 26, was in the home at the time for a previous firearms conspiracy conviction from the Southern District of Florida.
Also charged is his father, Lontrell Williams Sr., who is alleged to have helped plan and carry out the kidnapping.
Within hours of leaving the studio, several defendants reportedly posted photos on social media showing items stolen from the victims.
Eight of the nine suspects have been arrested in Dallas, Memphis and Nashville.
They include Shiesty, Big30, Williams Sr., Kedarius Waters, Terrance Rodgers, Damarian Gipson, Demarcus Glover, Kordae Johnson and Darrion McDaniel. If convicted, they each face a potential sentence of up to life in prison.
Raybould was direct about what the case represented.
“They came to Dallas to do legitimate business and they were met with guns and violence,” he said.
“This case should serve as a warning to others who believe that using violence and intimidation tactics to rob others in our society is a viable way of doing business. I’m here to say that it is not.”
Gucci Mane, real name Radric Davis, is the founder of 1017 Records, to which Shiesty was signed.
In October 2024, Gucci Mane announced that he was releasing most of his roster, but notably retaining Shiesty, who had just been released from prison after serving time for a 2022 guilty plea to firearms and drug charges.
Representatives for Shiesty declined to comment on the allegations.
