Rapper Pooh Shiesty, legal name Lontrell Williams, Jr., was one of eight people arrested in Dallas, Memphis, and Nashville. Police are searching for another individual.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for North Texas held a press conference to share details about the Jan. 10 incident.
Three music industry professionals traveled to Dallas for a scheduled business meeting to discuss the terms of a recording contract with one of the victims.
Prosecutors say Pooh Shiesty (Williams, Jr.) and eight co-conspirators “executed a coordinated armed takeover.” Prosecutors claim the group had a pistol and forced a victim to sign a contract at gunpoint. They claim the other co-conspirators robbed the other two victims of Rolex watches, jewelry, and other valuables.
One victim was allegedly choked to the point of near unconsciousness.
Prosecutors claim a defendant barricaded the studio door to prevent the victims from escaping, calling Pooh Shiesty (Williams, Jr.) the “ringleader of the conspiracy.” Williams, Jr. was on home confinement at the time of the alleged offense for a prior firearms charge and conviction in Florida. He was released from federal prison in Oct. after serving three of his 5-year prison sentence; part of the terms of his home detention were that he would not commit another federal offense or possess a firearm.
Police also raided Williams, Jr.’s home in Memphis.
Police claim Pooh Shiesty’s father, Lonnie Williams, Sr., helped plan and execute the kidnapping.
Prosecutors say car rental records show Williams, Sr., rented the car. Surveillance video captured the group near the location of the alleged crimes.
Prosecutors claim the alleged suspects posted the stolen goods on social media.
Prosecutors claim they have electronic evidence of Pooh Shiesty at the location of the incident, in violation of his home detention conditions, as well as cell phone records and license plate reader data corroborating the travel from Tennessee to Dallas.
Prosecutors claim fingerprint evidence recovered at the crime scene matches at least 2 of the defendants.
Prosecutors say, “this case should serve as a warning to others who believe that using violence and intimidation tactics to rob others in our community is a viable way to conduct business.”
This case was a partnership between the US Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the Dallas Violent Crime Task Force, the Dallas and Memphis police, and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.
Police did not identify the victims in this case.
NBC 5 is working to obtain the criminal complaint. This is a developing story.