Federal Charges: Pooh Shiesty, Big30, and 7 Others Allegedly Kidnapped and Robbed Gucci Mane in Dallas Studio Takeover

Federal prosecutors have unsealed a criminal complaint detailing how nine men—led by rising Memphis rapper Pooh Shiesty and his protégé Big30—allegedly orchestrated an armed takeover of a Dallas music studio in January 2026, kidnapping hip-hop legend Gucci Mane and robbing multiple victims of luxury watches, jewelry, and cash. The brazen daylight operation, prosecutors allege, was designed to intimidate Gucci Mane into terminating Shiesty’s recording contract with 1017 Records, the label Shiesty signed to in 2021. The case represents a stunning escalation of industry disputes into outright criminality, with authorities now pursuing charges that could land the accused behind bars for life.

How the Alleged Dallas Studio Takeover Unfolded: Key Details from the Federal Complaint

A Meeting Turned Violent: The Forced Contract Termination

According to the criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the alleged scheme began when Pooh Shiesty—born Lontrell Williams Jr.—summoned Gucci Mane (legal name: Radric Davis) to a meeting at a Dallas music studio on January 10, 2026. Shiesty, who had reportedly grown frustrated with the terms of his recording contract with 1017 Records, used the pretense of a business discussion to lure Mane into a trap. Once inside, Shiesty allegedly produced an AK-style pistol, which was retrieved from a bag by co-defendant Big30 (Rodney Lamont Wright Jr.) and handed to him. With the weapon trained on Mane, prosecutors claim Shiesty forced him to sign paperwork terminating his contract with Shiesty’s label. The complaint states that Mane was then compelled to verbally confirm the release, telling investigators he was ‘forced to say that he ‘released’ Williams Jr. from their contract.’

The complaint describes the scene as a coordinated armed takeover, with Shiesty and his entourage—eight other men, including Big30—brandishing firearms and robbing multiple victims present at the studio. Among the stolen items listed in the complaint are a Rolex watch, a Louis Vuitton bag, jewelry, cash, and a wallet containing an Apple AirTag. Gucci Mane was allegedly robbed of his wedding ring, watch, earrings, and additional cash. The complaint further alleges that Big30 physically blocked the studio exit, trapping multiple victims inside and preventing escape.

The Aftermath: Social Media Posts and Physical Evidence

In the hours following the alleged robbery, prosecutors claim that two co-defendants—Terrance Rodgers and Demarcus Glover—publicly flaunted items they allegedly stole during the crime. Rodgers, who is accused of posting a video on social media wearing what prosecutors describe as a Rolex watch taken from one of the victims, was charged as a co-defendant. Glover, meanwhile, allegedly shared images of himself wearing jewelry purportedly taken from the studio. These posts, prosecutors allege, provided a digital trail that helped authorities identify the suspects.

Physical evidence also played a crucial role in the investigation. Prosecutors state that latent fingerprints recovered from the studio matched two defendants, while surveillance footage from the studio, a nearby office supply store, and a hotel where several defendants stayed provided additional corroboration. Perhaps most damning was the tracking data from the AirTag attached to the stolen wallet, which pinged its last location in a parking lot adjacent to an apartment leased by Williams Sr., Shiesty’s father, who was also charged in the complaint.

The Defendants: Who Was Involved in the Alleged Crime Ring?

• Pooh Shiesty (Lontrell Williams Jr.): The alleged ringleader, who prosecutors say used an AK-style pistol to force contract termination and robbed Gucci Mane of personal items.
• Big30 (Rodney Lamont Wright Jr.): A Memphis rapper and Shiesty’s protégé, accused of retrieving the weapon and blocking the studio exit.
• Lontrell Williams Sr.: Shiesty’s father, who allegedly participated in the robbery and was charged for his role in the operation.
• Terrance Rodgers and Demarcus Glover: Co-defendants accused of posting social media videos and images showcasing allegedly stolen luxury items.
• Four additional unnamed co-defendants: Described in the complaint as part of the Memphis-based entourage that traveled to Dallas for the operation.

The Legal Fallout: Federal Charges and Potential Prison Time

All nine defendants have been charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, a federal offense that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Prosecutors allege the group traveled from Memphis to Dallas specifically to carry out the armed robbery and kidnapping, with rental car records and license plate reader data placing the defendants at the scene. Williams Sr.’s rental vehicle, for instance, was used by the group, and electronic monitoring data from Shiesty’s ankle bracelet allegedly placed him at the studio in violation of his home detention conditions.

Shiesty’s legal troubles do not end with this case. He was released early from prison in October 2025 after serving three years of a five-year sentence for a gun charge out of Miami. In that case, Shiesty pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess a firearm in furtherance of crimes of violence and drug trafficking. His early release came with strict conditions, including a ban on possessing firearms—a condition prosecutors allege he violated during the alleged Dallas studio takeover.

The Hip-Hop Industry’s Response: Contract Disputes Turn Criminal

The allegations against Shiesty and his co-defendants highlight the darker side of the music industry, where contract disputes and financial disagreements can devolve into violence. Gucci Mane, a veteran rapper and founder of 1017 Records, has built a legacy as both a hitmaker and a label executive. However, the case underscores the risks of industry power struggles, particularly for artists who sign to labels operated by younger, more volatile figures. Legal experts note that while contract disputes are common in music, the use of armed robbery and kidnapping to resolve them represents an extreme and unprecedented escalation.

“Nine defendants travelled to Dallas, Texas, to kidnap and rob victims who thought they were coming into town for a business meeting. Instead of discussing business in a civil manner, the defendants resorted to violence and intimidation to achieve their purported business objectives. 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, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas

Key Takeaways: What This Case Means for the Music Industry and Legal System

• Federal prosecutors allege Pooh Shiesty and eight others orchestrated an armed takeover of a Dallas studio to force Gucci Mane into terminating Shiesty’s recording contract, marking a violent escalation in industry disputes.
• The case hinges on digital and physical evidence, including social media posts flaunting stolen items, surveillance footage, and tracking data from an Apple AirTag attached to a stolen wallet.
• Shiesty, who was on home detention and prohibited from possessing firearms, faces life in prison if convicted, along with his co-defendants.
• The allegations underscore the risks of contract disputes in the music industry devolving into criminality, particularly when firearms are involved.
• This case is the latest in a string of high-profile legal troubles for Shiesty, who was released early from prison in 2025 after serving time for a gun-related conviction.

Frequently Asked Questions: Understanding the Gucci Mane Kidnapping and Robbery Case