The alleged incident happened in January, according to the DOJ.

Rapper Gucci Mane performs during halftime during the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on October 23, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia

Gucci Mane in Atlanta in October 2024.Credit : Paras Griffin/Getty

Rapper Gucci Mane was allegedly robbed and kidnapped by fellow rappers Pooh Shiesty (real name Lontrell Williams Jr.) and Big30 (born Rodney Lamont Wright Jr.), among others, in Dallas, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Thursday, April 2.

In the nearly 15-min long press conference, Ryan Raybould, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, said that nine people “kidnapped and robbed numerous people at gunpoint at a music studio in Dallas.” So far, eight of the nine have been arrested in Dallas, Memphis, Tenn. and Nashville.

Gucci Mane Allegedly Robbed and Kidnapped by Other Rappers, Evidence

Victim injuries.U.S. Department of Justice

The eight suspects include the aforementioned rappers, Pooh Shiesty’s father Lontrell Williams Sr., Kedarius Waters, Terrance Rodgers, Damarian Gipson, Demarcus Glover, Kordae Johnson and Darrion McDaniel.

In the press conference, Raybould went over the complaint, which PEOPLE also obtained, and said that the alleged incident happened on Jan. 10, when Pooh Shiesty — who was signed to Gucci Mane’s 1017 label — invited three music industry professionals to the Dallas studio for a business meeting to discuss the terms of his contract.

There, Shiesty, 26, and his alleged co-conspirators “executed a coordinated armed takeover” and forced one of the alleged victims to sign a release form from the recording contract at gunpoint, according to Raybould and the complaint.

“The remaining conspirators displayed firearms and robbed the other victims of Rolex watches, jewelry, cash and other high-value items. One of the victims was actually choked by one of the defendants to the point of near unconsciousness,” he said. “[Pooh Shiesty] barricaded the studio door with his body to prevent the victims from escaping.”

Gucci Mane Allegedly Robbed and Kidnapped by Other Rappers, Evidence

Screenshot of a video posted to Demarcus Glover’s Instagram.U.S. Department of Justice

According to the complaint, Pooh Shiesty was on “home detention” at the time of the offense for a prior firearms conspiracy charge and conviction out of the Southern District of Florida.

As alleged in the complaint, Pooh Shiesty’s father helped plan and execute the federal kidnapping. Within hours of leaving the studio, several defendants showed items stolen from the alleged victims on social media.

Pooh Shiesty and Gucci Mane perform onstage during Parking Lot Concert Series presents: Gucci Mane & The New 1017 at Gateway Center Arena on October 17, 2020 in College Park, Georgia.

Pooh Shiesty and Gucci Mane in College Park, Georgia in October 2020.Paras Griffin/Getty

“They came to Dallas to conduct legitimate business and they were met with firearms and violence as alleged in the charging document,” Raybould said of Gucci Mane, real name Radric Davis, and the other alleged victims.

“This case should serve as a warning to others who believe that using violence and intimidation tactics to rob others in our community is a viable way to conduct business,” he continued. “I’m here to say that it is not and if you choose to do this, we will, together with our law enforcement partners here… will bring you swiftly to justice.”

If convicted, each defendant could face a sentence of up to life in prison, according to Raybould.

Reps for Gucci Mane and Pooh Shiesty did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.