Rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big30 are among the nine people federally charged with kidnapping and armed robbery of three music professionals, including Atlanta rap artist Gucci Mane, at a Dallas recording studio, the Department of Justice said Thursday.
Details on the business meeting-turned armed robbery
Eight of the nine defendants were arrested on Wednesday in Dallas and Memphis. Prosecutors said the group arranged a violent ambush on Jan. 10 after luring the victims to Texas on what they assumed was a business meeting, according to CBS News and a DOJ news release.
The federal criminal complaint stated that Gucci Mane, born Radric Davis, and two others flew into Dallas that Saturday afternoon for what they believed was a business meeting to discuss an issue with Pooh Shiesty’s contract, whose legal name is Lontrell Williams Jr.
Investigators said the victims entered the studio around 3:43 p.m. that Saturday, when Williams and eight other suspects executed an armed takeover inside the Dallas-based studio. The victims were immediately separated, with Williams taking Davis into the recording room and the others remaining in the control room, per CBS News and the news release.
The victims were robbed of jewelry, cash and other luxury items
Williams then pulled an AK-style pistol and forced Davis, who is mentioned as the head of record label 1017 Records, to sign paperwork to release him from his contract at gunpoint. While that was happening, the other suspects started drawing firearms and robbed the others of jewelry, cash and other high-value items.
One victim was pushed onto a couch and had his wallet and jewelry stolen, while another was choked to the point of unconsciousness and robbed of a Rolex watch, a Louis Vuitton bag and other luxury items, CBS News and the criminal complaint state.
All nine suspects could face life in prison over the incident
Big30, born Rodney Wright Jr., blocked the door to prevent the victims from leaving while the others carried out the robbery. Meanwhile, Williams’ father, Lontrell Williams Sr., allegedly helped plan and execute the federal kidnapping.
Court records stated that Williams was on home confinement due to a firearm conspiracy, and he could not commit criminal offenses anymore or possess firearms. He was released from prison last October after serving three years on a 63-month sentence on gun charges, per the complaint and Variety.
After the suspects left the studio, they began posting the stolen items on their respective social media accounts. If convicted, nine of the defendants could face life in prison.
“For anyone contemplating using violence and intimidation as a business practice, I’m here to tell you that it will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted in the Northern District of Texas,” Ryan Raybould, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, said in the news release.