By Jasper Ward
April 2 (Reuters) – American rapper Pooh Shiesty and seven others were arrested on charges of robbery and armed kidnapping of music industry figures, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday.
The DOJ listed the initials R.D. as one of the victims, feeding speculation that rapper Gucci Mane, whose real name is Radric Davis, was among those kidnapped. Media outlets have widely reported that he was one of them.
The department said eight of nine suspects, including Pooh Shiesty’s father, have been arrested. The DOJ has alleged that the event occurred in January when three music industry professionals, including Gucci Mane, traveled to Dallas, Texas, for a scheduled business meeting.
That meeting, it said, was arranged by Lontrell “Pooh Shiesty” Williams to discuss the terms of his recording contract with one of the alleged victims.
Once the victims were in the studio, the DOJ alleged, Pooh Shiesty produced an AK-style pistol and executed “a coordinated armed takeover,” forcing one of the victims to sign a release from the contract at gunpoint.
Others at the meeting were robbed of Rolex watches, jewelry, cash and other items, it said.
Gucci Mane and Pooh Shiesty are both signed to Atlantic Records. Pooh Shiesty is signed under Gucci Mane’s 1017 label, which was founded at Atlantic in 2007.
Representatives for both men did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Pooh Shiesty’s arrest comes months after he was released from prison after pleading guilty to firearms and drug charges.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington; Editing by David Gregorio)
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