DOJ Announces Arrest of Memphis Rappers in Alleged Kidnapping and Robbery of Gucci Mane

Two Memphis, Tennessee-based rappers and seven others have been arrested in connection with an alleged robbery and kidnapping incident that involved rapper Gucci Mane earlier this year.

At an April 2 news conference, the North Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office announced a total of nine individuals were taken into custody, following an FBI-led investigation into the confrontation that occurred at a Dallas recording studio on Jan. 10.

“The victims in this case came to Dallas to conduct legitimate business and they were met with firearms and violence,” the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, told reporters.

Among those arrested are Memphis rappers Big30 and Pooh Shiesty, whose real is name Lontrell Williams Jr., who prosecutors allege orchestrated the encounter under the guise of a business meeting.

Investigators say the victims, including Mane, traveled to Dallas with the intent of attending a meeting related to a recording agreement, but were instead met with a planned ambush.

“Once these three men were inside the recording studio, Williams Jr. and eight co-conspirators — several of whom traveled from Memphis, Tennessee—executed a coordinated, armed takeover,” Raybould added.

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

Prosecutors claim the suspects brandished firearms, including an AK-style pistol, inside the studio, and forced one of them to sign a release from Williams’ recording contract.

“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.

The other defendants allegedly robbed the victims of cash, watches, jewelry, and luxury items, and later appeared to display the items on social media.

“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 jewelry that had been robbed from the victims,” Raybould said.

Officials add one victim was allegedly choked to the point of near unconsciousness, and one defendant took steps to barricade the door with his body to prevent the victims from leaving.

The arrests were carried out across multiple cities including Memphis, Dallas, and Nashville, with evidence gathered through surveillance footage, electronic monitoring, cellphone records, and social media activity.

The defendants face federal charges related to kidnapping, robbery at gunpoint, and conspiracy. If convicted, they could face sentences of up to life in prison.