DALLAS — Federal authorities have filed charges against rapper Pooh Shiesty and eight co-defendants, alleging they held three men at gunpoint and kidnapped them during a January incident in Texas connected to a recording contract disagreement with Gucci Mane’s music label.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dallas, the victims’ identities are being withheld, with court documents identifying them only by initials. Federal prosecutors indicate that one victim, identified as R.D., owns 1017 Records, the music label operated by Gucci Mane, legally known as Radric Delantic Davis.
Representatives for Gucci Mane have not responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
The incident occurred on January 10 when the three victims traveled to Dallas believing they were attending a business meeting, according to federal court documents filed in the Northern District of Texas. Authorities allege that Pooh Shiesty, whose real name is Lontrell Williams Jr., organized the meeting under the pretense of discussing his recording contract terms with 1017 Records.
Federal prosecutors claim that once the victims entered the recording studio, Pooh Shiesty pulled out an AK-style weapon and coerced one victim into signing a document releasing him from his recording agreement. The remaining defendants then brandished guns and stole watches, jewelry, money and other valuables from the victims. One victim was reportedly strangled until nearly losing consciousness, according to the charges.
Court documents also allege that another defendant blocked the studio door with his body to prevent the victims from escaping.
Attempts to reach Pooh Shiesty for comment have been unsuccessful. At the time of the alleged Texas incident, he was serving home detention for a previous federal firearms conspiracy conviction from Florida.
Bradford Cohen, who represented Pooh Shiesty in the firearms case, has not responded to phone calls or emails from reporters.
In Memphis, Tennessee, FBI agents executed court-authorized search warrants Wednesday at a residence in Cordova. Public property records indicate the home belongs to Pooh Shiesty.
Gucci Mane is considered a founding figure of trap music along with Atlanta contemporaries T.I. and Jeezy. His career took off in the mid-2000s with the hit single “Icy” and he subsequently built an extensive discography through numerous mixtapes and studio albums. He has mentored artists like Young Thug and received a Grammy nomination for his collaboration on Lizzo’s track “Exactly How I Feel.”
The Atlanta-based artist continues releasing new music and pursuing business projects, including his upcoming 2025 album “Episodes” and his 2017 autobiography, “The Autobiography of Gucci Mane,” which chronicles his artistic journey and personal challenges including his diagnosis with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In recent years, he has publicly advocated for sobriety and personal stability.
