Federal prosecutors say Memphis rapper Pooh Shiesty and eight others allegedly robbed and kidnapped fellow hip-hop star Gucci Mane and other industry professionals at a Dallas recording studio earlier this year.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dallas announced several arrests on Thursday, April 2, saying they cracked the case after combing through social media posts, surveillance footage, and Greyhound bus records.
According to a press release from the Department of Justice, the crimes stemmed from a dispute over a recording contract with Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records.
Prosecutors said Pooh Shiesty, born Lontrell Williams Jr, requested a meeting to discuss the terms of his contract. Gucci Mane, born Radric Davis, flew to Dallas with two other men to attend the talks.
With help from Memphis drill rapper Big30, born Rodney Wright, Jr., Pooh Shiesty allegedly robbed Gucci Mane at gunpoint and stole his wedding ring on Jan. 10.
Prosecutors said Shiesty pulled out “an AK-style pistol and forced one of the victims to sign a release from the recording contract.”
The victims were additionally robbed of Rolex watches, jewelry, cash, and other valuables. One man was choked until he nearly lost consciousness. Big30 also allegedly “barricaded the studio door with his body” to prevent the victims from escaping.
“Instead of discussing business in a civil matter, the defendants resorted to violence and intimidation to achieve their purported business objectives,” Ryan Raybould, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, said in a statement.
On Wednesday, April 1, federal agents arrested eight suspects during raids in Dallas, Memphis, and Nashville as part of a joint operation involving federal, state and local police.
Those taken into custody include Lontrell Williams. Jr. (Pooh Shiesty), his father Lontrell Williams Sr., Rodney Wright, Jr. (Big30), Kedarius Waters, Damarian Gipson, Demarcus Glover, Kordae Johnson, and Darrion McDaniel. A ninth suspect named Terrence Rodgers remains at large.
They were charged with kidnapping and robbery. If convicted, the suspects face up to life in prison.
The DOJ said the suspects allegedly told on themselves by posting videos on social media, “displaying what appeared to be some of the stolen jewelry,” including a Rolex, necklaces, and diamond pendants.
Prosecutors said investigators used videos from Rodgers’ and Glover’s social media pages to help solve the case.
Other evidence included cell phone records, rental car records, surveillance footage from the recording studio and nearby businesses, fingerprints at the crime scene, and Greyhound Bus records confirming some of the suspects traveled from Dallas to Memphis the day after the crime.
Pooh Shiesty was released from federal prison in October, after serving three years for a 2020 shooting in Florida.
Prosecutors said he was on home confinement at the time of the January robbery, allegedly violating the terms of his release.
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