The central figure in this incident is rapper Gucci Mane, whose legal name is Radric Davis. The primary individuals involved include his former label artist Pooh Shiesty, whose real name is Lontrell Williams Jr., as well as Lontrell Williams Sr. and Rodney Wright Jr., also known as Big 30. The events began on January 10, 2026, when Gucci Mane traveled to Dallas, Texas, for a meeting at Luminous Studios.
![Gucci Mane - Must Be Me [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qD0bke5eUAw/maxresdefault.jpg)
According to federal prosecutors, Gucci Mane arrived to discuss a contract dispute with Pooh Shiesty, who wanted to leave 1017 Records. Instead of a conversation, Gucci Mane and his associates were met by Shiesty and eight other individuals who allegedly orchestrated an armed takeover. The victims were separated upon entering the studio, and Gucci Mane was reportedly led to a recording booth where Shiesty allegedly pointed an AK-style Draco pistol at his face and forced him to sign release papers.
During the alleged robbery, the group took jewelry, Rolex watches, earrings, cash, and Gucci Mane’s wedding ring. One victim was reportedly choked nearly unconscious. Gucci Mane had security with him, a former Detroit police officer, but instructed him to stand down, choosing not to physically resist. After the incident, Gucci Mane voluntarily went to the Dallas police and gave a detailed statement, which an FBI agent later confirmed in court testimony.
By April 2026, nine defendants were charged with federal kidnapping and armed robbery. Arrests were made in Memphis and Dallas. Pooh Shiesty pleaded not guilty, was denied bond, and his trial was set for July 2026 in Dallas federal court. The charges carry the possibility of a life sentence. Following the arrests, Gucci Mane released a diss track titled “Crash Dummy” aimed at Shiesty, which quickly gained millions of views. The song highlighted the irony that Shiesty remained contractually bound to 1017 Records despite the forced signatures.
![Pooh Shiesty - Ugly feat. Gucci Mane [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JdQmPVd1KuY/maxresdefault.jpg)
The incident has sparked widespread debate, with some criticizing Gucci Mane for cooperating with law enforcement, while others defended him as a victim of a serious crime. His wife, Keyshia Ka’oir, publicly defended his actions. The fallout has been framed by some as the end of the “old” Gucci Mane, the version that would have handled the situation through street violence rather than legal channels. The transformation from his past, which includes a 2005 self-defense killing and years of legal and mental health struggles, is central to the public discourse.