In brief
Rapper Gucci Mane was kidnapped at gunpoint in Dallas by Pooh Shiesty and eight other defendants, who are now facing federal charges. Allegations suggest that Shiesty led the ambush under the pretense of a meeting and coerced Mane into signing documents while also robbing him of valuables. The incident has sparked discussions about safety and trust within the music industry.
Rapper Gucci Mane was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint in Dallas earlier this year, leading to the arrests of eight men, including a fellow artist signed to his label, officials say.
Prosecutors allege rapper Pooh Shiesty, born Lontrell Williams Jr, led the ambush under the guise of a meeting, holding Mane captive inside a recording studio and forcing him to sign papers releasing him from his contract.
Mane is an Atlanta-based artist who has collaborated with Usher, Doja Cat, Drake, and other stars. He founded his label, 1017 Records, in 2007 and Williams Jr signed as an artist in 2020.
The defendants, who are yet to enter their pleas, could face life in prison if convicted.
Eight of the nine defendants were arrested on Wednesday in Dallas, Memphis, and Nashville, and charged in federal court with kidnapping and armed robbery.
One suspect remains at large, and investigators are working with authorities in the state of Georgia to locate him, US Attorney Ryan Raybould told a news conference on Thursday.
The incident took place on January 10, a federal complaint says, when Williams Jr was supposed to be under house arrest for a previous firearms conspiracy conviction.
He was allegedly joined by eight co-defendants, including his father, Lontrell Williams Sr, all of whom are accused of participating in the crime.
A sworn statement from the FBI says Williams Jr pointed a black AK-style pistol at Mane and forced him to sign the papers. He also allegedly stole Mane's wedding ring, watch, earrings, and cash.
The other suspects allegedly brandished pistols as well, demanding property from additional victims in the room, identified in the complaint only by initials.
One of the victims was choked and injured, and had his Rolex watch, Louis Vuitton bag, AirPods, and wallet stolen from him, according to the complaint.
Within hours of leaving the Dallas studio, a number of the defendants were on social media displaying some of the items that appeared to be the jewellery that had been robbed from the victims, Raybould said.
Prosecutors say the rapper and the other victims believed they were going to be executed before the defendants ordered them to leave the building and go to their cars.
Representatives for Williams Jr and Mane did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
