New evidence has emerged in Pooh Shiesty’s robbery case alleging that the Memphis rapper forced Gucci Mane to sign his release from 1017 Records at gunpoint while on federal home confinement.
After Shiesty’s (born Lontrell Williams Jr.) bail was denied in Texas federal court in May, the “Back in Blood” rapper’s attorneys filed a motion to review his detention orders. On June 24, prosecutors responded with a filing, viewed by Billboard, that alleges they have strong proof of Shiesty’s guilt — including video footage of the alleged armed robbery and kidnapping, along with a copy of the “release of contract” Mane was allegedly forced to sign to free Shiesty from his label deal.
The prosecution claims that the footage shows Mane in the studio being forced to declare that Shiesty was “dropped” from 1017 and out of his contract. Prosecutors also allege that the video matches the victims’ accounts of the robbery, which took place in January at a Dallas recording studio. An 8GB USB drive was also put forth as evidence by the prosecution, with a photo of the device included in the court documents.
Prosecutors allege that the “release of contract” agreement constitutes a “full termination and release” of Shiesty from his deal with 1017 Records, which signed him in 2020.
“Reference is hereby made to the agreement between 1017 Global Music LLC (‘Company’) and Lontrell Williams p/k/a Pooh Shiesty (‘Artist’) dated as of April 1, 2020 (the ‘Agreement’),” the paperwork allegedly reads. “The following, when signed by Artist and by Company (collectively the ‘Parties’), will constitute a full Termination and Release of the Agreement by the Parties.”
Shiesty, along with his father, Lontrell Williams Sr., and rapper Big30 (Rodney Lamont Wright Jr.), were among eight individuals arrested on April 1 over the alleged dispute, which is said to have taken place on Jan. 10 in Dallas.
Prosecutors previously alleged that Shiesty and his co-conspirators drew guns and barricaded Mane’s team inside the recording studio while they forced Mane to sign the release. The group is accused of stealing jewelry, Rolex watches and cash during the alleged altercation.
Shiesty’s trial was originally set for July, before being pushed back to Feb. 22, 2027. The Memphis rapper remains in custody.
