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Rapper targeted in armed studio kidnapping, officials say
Federal prosecutors allege eight men, including fellow artist Pooh Shiesty, held Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane captive in a Dallas recording studio on January 10, forcing him to sign contract-release documents at gunpoint.
Ambush details emerge
According to a federal complaint, Pooh Shiesty-whose real name is Lontrell Williams Jr-led the attack while supposedly under house arrest for a prior firearms conspiracy conviction. Williams Jr allegedly pointed a black AK-style pistol at Mane and demanded he sign papers ending his contract with 1017 Records, the label Mane founded in 2007.
During the ordeal, Williams Jr and his co-defendants reportedly stole Mane's wedding ring, watch, earrings, and cash. Additional victims in the studio were also robbed, with one choked and relieved of a Rolex, Louis Vuitton bag, AirPods, and wallet, the complaint states.
Suspects arrested across three cities
Eight of the nine accused were taken into custody on Wednesday in Dallas, Memphis, and Nashville. They face federal charges of kidnapping and armed robbery, with potential life sentences if convicted. One suspect remains at large, and authorities are coordinating with Georgia officials to locate him, U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said during a Thursday news conference.
Raybould noted that within hours of the incident, several defendants posted images on social media flaunting jewelry matching the stolen items.
Victims feared execution, prosecutors say
The rapper and other victims believed they were "going to be executed" before the assailants ordered them to leave the studio and return to their vehicles, according to prosecutors. The complaint does not specify whether Mane or the other victims sustained physical injuries beyond the reported choking incident.
House arrest violation alleged
Williams Jr, who signed with 1017 Records in 2020, was allegedly joined by his father, Lontrell Williams Sr, and six other co-defendants in the plot. All eight arrested suspects have yet to enter pleas.
No immediate comment from involved parties
Representatives for both Williams Jr and Gucci Mane did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
