DALLAS (AP) — Federal prosecutors charged rapper Pooh Shiesty and eight co-defendants with armed robbery and kidnapping, tied to an incident in Texas this year stemming from a contract dispute involving Gucci Mane's record label.

The indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dallas, referenced the victims only by initials. One victim, R.D., identified as the owner of 1017 Records, was among three men who traveled to Dallas for a meeting that quickly took a violent turn.

“The victims came to Dallas for legitimate business but faced a violent armed takeover instead,” stated U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould during a press conference on Thursday.

The robbery occurred on January 10 when the men expected a business discussion. According to the federal indictment, Pooh Shiesty, whose legal name is Lontrell Williams Jr., had orchestrated the meeting under false pretenses regarding his contract with 1017 Records.

Raybould described Pooh Shiesty as the “ringleader” as the group executed a premeditated attack once inside the recording studio, revealing firearms and robbing the victims of valuables, while one victim was choked nearly unconscious.

The FBI arrested eight out of the nine defendants involved, several of whom traveled from Memphis, Tennessee, to participate in the orchestrated crime. Pooh Shiesty’s property in Cordova was part of the search activities conducted by the FBI.

Shortly after the incident, the defendants were seen on social media flaunting jewelry and other stolen items. Interest towards Pooh Shiesty is heightened due to his background; he was under home confinement from a previous firearms conspiracy conviction during the alleged robbery.

Pooh Shiesty's counsel in that earlier case, Bradford Cohen, did not respond to requests for comments regarding the latest charges. As of now, Pooh Shiesty remains prominently featured as an artist on 1017 Records’ website.

Gucci Mane, recognized as a trailblazer in the trap music genre, has cultivated an extensive music catalog while mentoring upcoming artists. His recent projects include the 2025 album “Episodes” and a memoir reflecting his struggles and evolution as both an artist and an individual.