Rapper Pooh Shiesty Faces Kidnapping Charges in Shocking Gucci Mane Label Dispute

In a dramatic turn of events, federal prosecutors have brought serious charges against rapper Pooh Shiesty and eight others, accusing them of a brazen armed robbery and kidnapping incident in Texas earlier this year. The allegations revolve around a contract dispute linked to rapper Gucci Mane’s record label, 1017 Records.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dallas has opted not to disclose the identities of the victims, referring to them only by their initials in the indictment. One of the victims, identified as R.D., is noted as the proprietor of 1017 Records, the label owned by Gucci Mane, whose real name is Radric Delantic Davis.

Efforts to obtain comments from Gucci Mane’s publicists have so far been unsuccessful, as they have yet to respond to inquiries.

This alleged incident took place on January 10, when the victims traveled to Dallas under the impression they were attending a business meeting. According to the indictment filed in the Northern District of Texas, it was Pooh Shiesty, legally known as Lontrell Williams Jr., who orchestrated the meeting. The supposed agenda was to negotiate terms of his contract with 1017 Records.

However, once inside the studio, the situation reportedly took a violent turn. Williams is accused of brandishing an AK-style weapon and coercing one of the victims to sign a release from the recording contract. Additionally, the other defendants allegedly wielded firearms to rob the victims of their valuables, including watches, jewelry, and cash. According to prosecutors, one victim endured a near-fatal chokehold during the ordeal.

Another defendant barricaded the door with his body to stop the victims from leaving.

Williams 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 Williams during that firearms case, did not immediately reply to an email and phone call for comment from The Associated Press.

In Tennessee, the FBI in Memphis said Wednesday that it went to a home in the suburb of Cordova to serve court-ordered warrants. Property records show it is owned by Williams.

Gucci Mane is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of trap music alongside fellow Atlanta rappers T.I. and Jeezy. He emerged in the mid-2000s with his breakout single “Icy” and went on to build a vast catalog through a steady stream of mixtapes and albums. He has also helped launch or develop artists, including Young Thug, and earned a Grammy nomination for his appearance on Lizzo’s song “Exactly How I Feel.”

Gucci Mane has remained active with new music and business ventures, including his 2025 album “Episodes” and his 2017 memoir, “The Autobiography of Gucci Mane,” which reflects on his evolution as a music artist and personal struggles, such as being diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In recent years, he has also publicly emphasized sobriety and stability.

Associated Press reporters Adrian Sainz in Memphis and Jonathan Landrum Jr. in Los Angeles contributed to this report.