In brief
In a dramatic turn of events, rapper Gucci Mane was allegedly kidnapped and robbed at gunpoint by fellow artist Pooh Shiesty and eight other suspects in Dallas. Prosecutors allege Shiesty orchestrated the ambush under the pretense of a meeting, resulting in Mane being forced to sign a release from his contract. The defendants face serious charges, including life imprisonment if convicted. The audacity of the crime has shocked the music community, given that many of the stolen items were displayed on social media shortly after the incident.
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 10 January, 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 jewelry 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.
