Rappers kidnapped Gucci Mane, robbed fellow musicians at Dallas studio, feds say
Rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big 30, along with seven other men, are accused of kidnapping fellow musicians including Gucci Mane at a studio in Dallas and stealing their valuables at gunpoint, U.S. Department of Justice officials said Thursday.
According to a DOJ news release and court documents, three music industry professionals arrived in Dallas on Jan. 10 for what they thought was a business meeting. Shiesty, whose real name is Lontrell Willams Jr., had arranged to talk over the terms of his recording contract with one of the men.
Instead, the complaint alleges that Williams Jr. pulled out an AK-style pistol and “forced one of the victims to sign a release from the recording contract,” the release states. The other conspirators also displayed guns and stole jewelry, Rolex watches, cash and other valuables from the men, investigators said.
One of the victims told authorities he was choked nearly to the point of unconsciousness, according to the release. Big30, whose real name is Rodney Wright Jr., is accused of blocking the studio door with his body so the men couldn’t escape during the armed attack.
Rapper Gucci Mane, whose real name is Radric Delantic Davis, was one of the victims, according to WFAA-TV reporting. Pooh Shiesty was originally signed to his 1017 label.
Shortly after leaving the studio, some of the conspirators posted photos of the stolen jewelry on social media, the release states. Eight of the nine suspects were arrested Wednesday in Dallas and Memphis, Tennessee.
The suspects include Williams and his father, Lontrell Williams Sr.; Wright, Kedarius Waters, Terrance Rodgers, Demarian Gipson, Demarcus Glover, Kordae Johnson and Darrion McDaniel. The men have been charged with kidnapping and robbery and face up to life in prison if convicted.
According to the release, Williams Jr. was supposed to be on home detention following a conviction for firearms conspiracy in Florida. Electronic monitoring data shows he was present at the scene of the crime. Williams Sr. is accused of helping his son plan and carry out the kidnapping.
