‘Things Are Very Often Not What They Seem'

Pooh Shiesty‘s lawyer pushes back on claims that the rapper led a kidnapping and robbery of Gucci Mane, saying the case is much more complex.

According to The Dallas Morning News, Shiesty defense attorney John Helms, who had reportedly joined the case less than a day earlier, challenged the government’s framing and described Shiesty (born Lontrell Williams Jr.) as a talented artist who has had “a lot of success as an entertainer.”

“The government tries to characterize this as a dispute over money between Lontrell and his record label, but in this business, things are very often not what they seem, and people’s motivations are very often not what they seem.” Helms told The Dallas Morning News on Friday (April 5).

“We will be presenting Lontrell’s side of the case as the case goes on, and I think it’s going to be significantly different from what the government says,” he added.

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Federal prosecutors claim Shiesty, 26, acted as the “ringleader” alongside eight other men in a January incident that kidnapped and robbed Gucci Mane (born Radric Davis), who signed Shiesty to 1017 Records.

Authorities allege Shiesty lured Gucci into a business meeting, and then pulled out an AK-style pistol when Gucci refused to sign paperwork releasing him from the label. From there, Shiesty allegedly took his wedding ring, watch, earrings and cash, while another person may have recorded the moment on a phone.

According to court filings cited by The Dallas Morning News, when the group returned to the main room, other men produced firearms and demanded valuables from the remaining victims.

The group allegedly took watches, wallets, a chain and a necklace bearing the “1017” moniker, a Louis Vuitton bag containing additional high-end watches, and Apple AirPods.

Shiesty’s co-defendants include his father, Lontrell Williams Sr., along with Kedarius Waters, Kordae Johnson, Demarcus Glover, Damarian Gipson, Darrion McDaniel and Terrance Rodgers.

Memphis rapper Big30 (born Rodney Lamont Wright Jr.) was also arrested in connection to the incident.

The group of men face kidnapping and conspiracy charges that carry potential sentences of years or life in prison.

Authorities said eight were arrested Wednesday (April 1) and a ninth was taken into custody the following day in Atlanta.

Shiesty could face more severe consequences because he was on home detention and wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the alleged crime.

Court records show he was serving the remainder of a 63-month federal sentence imposed in 2022 after pleading guilty in Florida to conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of violent and drug trafficking crimes, and his release conditions barred him from possessing or being around firearms.

‘Things Are Very Often Not What They Seem’

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