In a dramatic turn of events, nine individuals, including well-known rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big 30, have been apprehended in connection with a scheme involving the robbery and abduction of acclaimed rapper Gucci Mane.

According to a statement released by the Department of Justice on Thursday, the group orchestrated a series of armed robberies and kidnappings targeting Gucci Mane, who is 46, among others, at a Dallas music studio, earlier this year in January.

Authorities revealed that eight of the suspects were captured on Wednesday across various locations, including Dallas, Memphis, and Nashville.

The complaint from January 10, as detailed by the DoJ, alleges that three music industry figures, including Pooh Shiesty—whose real name is Lontrell Denell Williams Jr.—arranged a meeting to negotiate the terms of a recording contract with one of the victims.

The 26-year-old rapper, famous for his track ‘Back in Blood,’ along with his accomplices, is accused of executing an armed heist. The DoJ’s report indicates that Shiesty brandished an assault-style weapon to coerce a victim into signing a release from the recording contract under duress.

Following this, the rest of the crew allegedly proceeded to strip the other attendees at the meeting of valuable items, including Rolex watches, jewelry, cash, and other high-end goods.

Shiesty has been signed to Gucci Mane’s 1017 label since April 2020.  

The document alleges that one of the victims was choked close to the point of unconsciousness during the assault. Memphis rapper Big 30, real name Rodney Lamont Wright Jr., then reportedly barricaded the door of the meeting room to prevent victims from escaping.

Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane, real name Radric Delantic Davis, was allegedly robbed and kidnapped by fellow musicians Pooh Shiesty and Big 30 in January 2026

Gucci Mane pictured with wife Keyshia Ka’oir Davis and son Iceland, 5

Shiesty’s father Lontrell Denell Williams Sr. reportedly also had a hand in helping to orchestrate and execute the kidnapping. 

Within hours of the January 10 robbery, the rapper and multiple of the suspects reportedly posted pictures of the items they had stolen on social media. 

Local Memphis outlet WATN reported on Wednesday that the FBI executed a warrant at Pooh Shiesty’s Tennessee home, where he was arrested shortly thereafter. 

The DoJ said that evidence including cell phone records, Greyhound Bus records, surveillance footage, fingerprints at the scene and social media posts helped the agency to identify and arrest the suspects.

If convicted of the charges, each defendant faces a sentence of up to life imprisonment. 

Shiesty is less than a year out of his recent jail stint in October 2025 where he served three years for a gun charge.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of violent crimes and drug trafficking. Following his release, he was placed on house arrest and, as part of the conditions, was prohibited from possessing firearms.

The rapper is no stranger to run-ins with the law. He was arrested in June 2020 for armed robbery, aggravated assault, battery, and criminal theft, and then, in June 2021, he was taken into custody again in connection to a shooting at a strip club in Miami. 

Gucci Mane’s 1017 label has been cursed with tragedy after at least seven artists on his label have either died or gone to jail over the years.

Rapper Pooh Shiesty, 26, is no stranger to run-ins with the law

Back in December 2022, rapper Big Scarr died tragically from an accidental prescription drug overdose at age 22.  

One month later, Hotboy Wes was arrested for numerous charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, and endangering children.

He was ultimately sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty.

Foogiano, who served three years in jail for burglary and robbery charges before he joined 1017, was arrested for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in December 2020, and he received a five-year sentence for it.

And in June 2024, it was revealed that a young 1017 musician known as Enchanting had passed away after an overdose reportedly left her on life support.

The scrutiny against Gucci Mane, real name Radric Delantic Davis, became so intense after the string of misfortune at his label that his wife Keshia Ka’oir Davis was forced to intervene and defend him.

‘Leave my husband alone!’, she said on Instagram in response to the flurry of criticism. ‘He signs these artists to help them and give them a better life! I wish it wasn’t like this!’ 

The Atlanta rapper, fashion designer and actor revealed in October 2025 that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in his book ‘Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man.’

He said that he was hospitalized by his wife in 2020 after a bad mental heath episode that forced her to intervene. 

‘I called his attorney, I called some bodyguards and I planned a whole kidnap and we kidnapped him and took him to the hospital,’ she shared on The Breakfast Club radio show.

‘He was trying to fight them and everything, but it was six of them and he couldn’t handle it. We threw him in the car and he would try to jump out of the car so we put him in the center of the car.’

The Guwop rapper admitted on the show that he had to ‘hold himself accountable’ in order to ‘never have an episode again.’ 

He added that he sought help from a therapist and was open to taking medication in order to heal.

‘I kinda threw the towel in. [Whatever] I need to do to get better. I just didn’t ever want to have that happen again.’ 

According to the Mayo clinic, those with a schizophrenia diagnosis interpret reality abnormally and are often dealt with hallucinations, visual illusions, auditory delusions and psychosis. 

Bipolar is a manic-depressive mental illness that can cause extreme changes in mood and energy levels as reported by the National Institute of Mental Health.