Pooh Shiesty Denied Bond in Robbery and Kidnapping Case

Memphis rapper Lontrell Williams Jr., known professionally as Pooh Shiesty, was denied bond on April 8, 2026, during a federal court hearing in Dallas, Texas. Judge Renee Harries Toliver ruled that Williams must remain in custody as he faces federal charges related to the alleged kidnapping and robbery of fellow hip-hop artist Gucci Mane.

The ruling follows a bond hearing where the prosecution argued against the rapper’s release. Judge Toliver determined that there were no conditions for release that had not already been granted to Williams, noting that he was under court-ordered supervision at the time the alleged offense occurred.

Details of the Alleged Incident

According to federal prosecutors, the charges stem from an incident on January 10, 2026, at a recording studio in Dallas. The government alleges that Williams, who was residing in Plano at the time, orchestrated a meeting with Gucci Mane, whose real name is Radric Davis, under the guise of discussing business opportunities and music collaboration.

The federal complaint states that Williams had been signed to Davis’ label, The New 1017 Records, in 2020. Prosecutors claim that once at the studio, Williams asked Davis to enter the recording booth to discuss the terms of his recording contract, at which point the encounter allegedly turned into a high-stakes confrontation.

Authorities allege that Davis was robbed and kidnapped at gunpoint. A total of nine individuals were charged in connection with the incident, including Williams and Memphis rapper Rodney Wright, also known as Big30.

Defense Arguments and Legal Strategy

Williams’ defense team, which includes attorneys Bradford Cohen, Saam Zangeneh, and John Helms, has challenged the strength of the government’s evidence. During the proceedings, the defense argued that the FBI does not possess the alleged stolen jewelry, the firearms used in the crime, or the contract that prosecutors claim Williams forced Gucci Mane to sign.

Following the hearing, Bradford Cohen told reporters that the timing of the arrests is suspicious. Cohen suggested that the three-month gap between the January incident and the subsequent arrests indicates that the FBI may have found inconsistencies in the statements provided by the alleged victims.

The FBI doesn’t take three months to arrest someone if they believe everything that was said on the night that it occurred,

Bradford Cohen

Despite these arguments, the judge found probable cause for the detention, describing the evidence presented by the prosecution as heavy.

Recent Background and Career Status

The current legal proceedings come shortly after Williams’ return from federal prison in October 2025, where he had served more than three years. Since his release, he has remained active in the music industry.

In December 2025, Williams achieved commercial success with his single FDO, which reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, the recent federal charges and the denial of bond mean he will remain detained as the case proceeds through the federal court system.