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Pooh Shiesty's attorney appears to dispute the government's claims that the Memphis artist kidnapped and robbed Gucci Mane and two others at gunpoint.
In a statement The Dallas Morning News published on Friday, April 3, defense attorney John Helms argued that the case against his client, born Lontrell Williams, Jr., is more complicated than it seems.
“The government tries to characterize this as a dispute over money between Lontrell and his record label, but in this business, things are very often not what they seem, and people's motivations are very often not what they seem," Helms said.
The Department of Justice alleges Gucci and two others traveled to Dallas to meet with his 1017 artist to discuss the terms of his recording contract following his release from prison. They met at a studio with Pooh Shiesty's father, Lontrell Williams, Sr., BIG30, born Rodney Lamont Wright Jr., and six others: Kedarius Waters, Kordae Johnson, Demarcus Glover, Damarian Gipson, Darrion McDaniel, and Terrance Rodgers. During the meeting, Williams, Jr. and his eight other co-defendants allegedly "executed an armed takeover" as he "forced one of the victims to sign a release from the recording contract" while holding an AK-style pistol.
Members of the rapper's crew also had guns and robbed the other two victims at gunpoint. One of the victims was reportedly held in a chokehold until they were nearly rendered unconscious. The group allegedly stole cash, Rolex watches, jewelry, and other valuables. BIG30 is accused of barricading the door to keep the victims from leaving the studio. Lontrell Williams, Sr., allegedly helped plan and execute the alleged crime.
Helms, who's a decorated defense lawyer in Texas who specializes in federal crime, denounced the allegations against Pooh Shiesty and emphasized that he's had “a lot of success as an entertainer.” He also said Shiesty's version of the story will be "significantly different" from the 32-page indictment.
“We will be presenting Lontrell’s side of the case as the case goes on, and I think it’s going to be significantly different from what the government says,” he said.
Pooh Shiesty and the eight co-defendants were charged with kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. If convicted, they all face life in prison. Meanwhile, Pooh's sentence could be more severe. He was out on supervised release with an ankle monitor while living at a halfway house in Texas. He was serving out the rest of a 63-month sentence he received from a Florida judge after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of violent and drug trafficking crimes. In addition to not committing crimes, the artist was prohibited from possessing a firearm or being around those who owned one. All nine men are currently sitting behind bars awaiting trial.