Pooh Shiesty and Big30 Arrested on Federal Kidnapping and Robbery Charges in Dallas Studio Takeover

Rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big30 have been arrested along with several others on federal robbery and kidnapping charges in Texas, according to an announcement from the Department of Justice on April 2. The charges relate to an “armed takeover” of a Dallas recording studio in January, reportedly triggered by a dispute over Pooh Shiesty’s contract with Gucci Mane’s label, 1017 Records.

The complaint details how three “music industry professionals” traveled to Dallas on January 10 for a meeting arranged by Pooh Shiesty (Lontrell Williams, Jr.) to discuss record deal terms. Inside the studio, nine individuals, including the suspects, allegedly executed an “armed takeover.” The DOJ claims one person held a victim at gunpoint with an AK pistol, compelling them to sign a release from the recording contract.

Reportedly, Big30 barricaded the door while the defendants brandished more firearms, robbing the plaintiffs of Rolex watches, jewelry, cash, and other items. One individual was allegedly choked nearly unconscious. The DOJ further alleges that after leaving the studio, several defendants displayed the stolen goods on social media. Eight of the nine suspects were arrested on April 2 across Memphis, Nashville, and Dallas. Terrance Rodgers, the ninth individual, remains at large.

Pooh Shiesty gained recognition with singles like “Twerksum” and “Back In Blood” before signing with 1017 in 2021. In 2022, he was sentenced to five years in prison for a Florida gun conspiracy conviction. According to court records, he was still in home detention, which required that he not commit another federal crime or possess a firearm. In 2024, Gucci Mane announced he was releasing all his artists from the imprint except for Pooh Shiesty and Foogiano. By October 2025, Pooh Shiesty was released from prison; he put out a single, “FDO,” two months later.

If convicted on the new charges, Pooh Shiesty and the other suspects face life imprisonment. Ryan Raybould, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, stated, “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.”

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