Rapper Pooh Shiesty Launched ‘Armed Takeover’ To Get Out Of Contract, DOJ Says

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is alleging that rapper Pooh Shiesty kidnapped and robbed fellow artist Gucci Mane and several other alleged victims at gunpoint at a Dallas recording studio.

Shiesty, who was previously signed to Gucci Mane’s record 1017 label, invited three music industry professionals to the studio to discuss his contract Jan. 10, the DOJ wrote Thursday in a press release. Authorities claim Shiesty and his alleged co-conspirators then “executed an armed takeover” by holding one of the alleged victims at gunpoint with an AK-style pistol and forcing him to sign a form releasing him from his recording contract.

In a press conference Thursday, U.S. Attorney from Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould said Shiesty was arrested along with 7 other suspects. He faces the possibility of life behind bars if convicted.

The DOJ alleges that one of the alleged victims was nearly choked to the point of unconsciousness, while one of Shiesty’s co-conspirators, Big30, blocked the exit, preventing the alleged victims from escaping.

The DOJ said the arrests spanned across Memphis, Nashville, and Dallas. Raybould asserted that one other alleged suspect remained outstanding but noted he would soon be taken into police custody.

“Instead of discussing business in a civil matter, the defendants resorted to violence and intimidation to achieve their purported business objectives,” Raybould said.

Pooh Shiesty and Big30 reportedly robbed and kidnapped Gucci Mane in Dallas, according to the DOJ

Pooh Shiesty allegedly held an AK-47 toward Gucci Mane and forced him to sign a contract release, while BIG3O blocked the door to prevent him from leaving. 9 people from Memphis… pic.twitter.com/sNvnKjIizg

— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) April 2, 2026

The DOJ shared images injuries sustained by the alleged victims on their official website.

Raybould claimed Shiesty and his entourage stole Rolex watches, jewelry, valuables, and cash from their alleged victims, and claimed several of the alleged suspects shared photos of the stolen items online within hours of the alleged incident.

“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,” Raybould said.

Pooh Shiesty Arrested for Allegedly Kidnapping Gucci Mane https://t.co/DYfxlJqyXM pic.twitter.com/QQ49NtbOcn

— TMZ (@TMZ) April 2, 2026

Law enforcement officials raided Shiesty’s Memphis home Wednesday. The rapper’s father, Lontrell Williams Sr., was arrested and helped plan and execute the kidnapping, according to the DOJ.(RELATED: Afroman Speaks Out After Winning Court Battle With Police Over Raid)

The DOJ said Shiesty was on home confinement for “a prior conspiracy conviction” at the time of his arrest, and part of his conditions specified that he “could not commit other criminal offenses or possess firearms.”

The rapper was released from prison for previous offenses in October 2025.

He remains in police custody as of April 2.