Pooh Shiesty will remain behind bars after a federal judge rejected a proposal to spend as much as $700,000 on around-the-clock private security while the rapper awaits trial.
The rapper, whose real name is Lontrell Williams, was denied bond for a second time Tuesday in a Dallas federal courtroom. He has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the alleged kidnapping and extortion of Gucci Mane, born Radric Davis.
Shiesty’s attorneys suggested hiring PPI Security to supervise him continuously until his trial, which is scheduled to begin February 22, 2027.
Brandon Bess, the Houston security company’s chief investigator, testified that Shiesty would receive the same level of monitoring provided to an attorney general.
U.S. District Judge David Godbey remained unconvinced, ruling that there was “no condition or combination of conditions that would protect the public.” He also called Williams a “dangerous person.”
Prosecutors allege Shiesty arranged a January meeting with Gucci Mane at a Dallas recording studio while on supervised release in a separate federal case. Once inside a recording booth, authorities claim Shiesty produced an AK-style weapon known as a “Draco” and forced Gucci to release him from his contract with The New 1017 Records.
A video allegedly recorded by Memphis rapper Big30 shows Gucci verbally releasing Shiesty from the deal, prosecutors say.
Court records also allege one of Shiesty’s supervisors created unauthorized travel passes for him. The employee has since been fired.
Footage of the Pooh Shiesty and Big30 robbin Gucci Mane at Gun point has been released, Gucci Mane is heard sayin "Pooh Shiesty is dropped from 1017" pic.twitter.com/0dSazYncL0
— CMO (@CGTOPSHOTTA) July 1, 2026
Shiesty was released to house arrest in October 2025 after pleading guilty to a federal firearms conspiracy charge in 2022.