Pooh Shiesty is facing another major legal battle following his release from prison, but the Memphis rapper is denying all accusations brought against him in a federal kidnapping and extortion case involving Gucci Mane.
According to reports circulating online, Pooh Shiesty formally pleaded not guilty on Friday, May 8, during a federal arraignment connected to five criminal counts. Prosecutors have accused the rapper, alongside his father, Big30, and several others of allegedly robbing and kidnapping Gucci Mane during a dispute connected to their record contract.
The update was first shared by Bryson “Boom” Paul on social media, where details about the court proceedings quickly sparked reactions across hip-hop platforms.
Shiesty’s new attorney, Kent Schaffer, reportedly expressed confidence in the defense’s position moving forward.
“We are awaiting a scheduling order from the court,” Schaffer reportedly stated via email. He also claimed the case appears “highly defensible” despite the defense team still reviewing all of the evidence.
The legal situation has already seen changes behind the scenes, as Schaffer recently joined the case following the departures of attorneys Bradford Cohen and Saam Zangeneh. The new legal team is now preparing for the next phase of the proceedings, including evidence review, court scheduling, and trial strategy.
Both Big30 and Pooh Shiesty’s father have also entered not guilty pleas. At the time of writing, Shiesty and Big30 remain behind bars while some of the codefendants continue efforts to secure bond.
@TheJusticeDept v. @pooh_shiesty / @BigThirty375:
At Friday’s arraignment on 5 federal counts of kidnapping and extortion in the January 10, 2026 incident involving rapper @gucci1017. Memphis rapper Pooh Shiesty, real name Lontrell Williams Jr., entered a plea of “Not Guilty” to… pic.twitter.com/Zdk26DTDV3
— Bryson “Boom” Paul (@brysonboompaul) May 8, 2026
If convicted, the defendants could reportedly face life in prison due to the severity of the charges.
The case has already generated widespread discussion within the hip-hop community, especially regarding label disputes, loyalty, and accusations of cooperating with authorities. Pooh Shiesty’s father recently pushed back against prosecutors’ claims, reportedly describing the government’s evidence as “profoundly underwhelming” while arguing he should await trial from home rather than remain detained.
Meanwhile, online personalities continue to weigh in on the controversy. Wack 100 recently speculated publicly about whether members connected to the case could cooperate with authorities, adding even more attention to an already high-profile legal situation.
For now, all eyes remain on how the case develops as prosecutors and defense attorneys prepare for what could become one of hip-hop’s most closely watched trials.
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