The federal case against Memphis artist Pooh Shiesty is taking a new turn as his legal team begins to push back against kidnapping and robbery allegations involving Gucci Mane.
While Pooh Shiesty remains in custody, his father, Lontrell Williams Sr., was recently granted a $250,000 bond and ordered to remain under house arrest.
Defense attorney John Helms, who recently took on the case in Dallas, spoke out on Friday, to provide a different perspective on the January studio incident. Helms described the rapper as a talented individual who has seen “a lot of success as an entertainer,” and suggested that the government’s narrative misses the nuances of high-stakes record deals.
“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 stated. His remarks hint at a defense strategy that may center on the volatile nature of the music business and the specifics of Pooh Shiesty’s contract with 1017 Records.
Federal prosecutors allege a much more violent scene. According to the indictment, the rapper and eight others, including his father and fellow artist Big30, lured Gucci Mane and his associates to a Dallas recording studio under the guise of a business meeting. Once inside, authorities claim Pooh Shiesty used an AK-style firearm to force the signing of a contract release while others robbed the group of jewelry, Rolex watches, and cash.
Because the charges include conspiracy to commit kidnapping, Pooh Shiesty could face life in prison if a jury finds him guilty.
