Daniel Hernandez, better known as Tekashi 6ix9ine, started building a huge celebrity base in 2017 after his chart-topping “Gummo.” Following a short-lived career, authorities charged him with racketeering related to the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, a particularly brutal New York gang, in 2018. Hernandez pleaded guilty, then cooperated with prosecutors to obtain a reduced sentence.
In 2019, a judge sentenced him to two years in prison plus five years of supervised release. Authorities released him early in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet this freedom came with strict rules that he struggled to follow.
Recent Violations
Hernandez violated his probation multiple times. In March, police found small amounts of cocaine and ecstasy during a raid at his Miami home. Additionally in August, he punched a man at a Florida mall after the man taunted him about his cooperation with authorities.
These actions followed a previous breach. Last year, a judge gave him 45 days in jail for earlier violations. As a result, officials monitored him closely.
The Sentencing Hearing
On Friday, Judge Paul Engelmayer sentenced Hernandez to three months in prison in a Manhattan federal court. The judge expressed frustration and said Hernandez acts as if rules do not apply to him. He added that prison time would send a clear message.
Hernandez’s lawyer asked for six months of home confinement instead. But the judge rejected this request. Meanwhile Hernandez must report to a Brooklyn prison next month.
Hernandez’s Response
During the hearing, Hernandez spoke at length about harassment he and his family face. Unknown people left a coffin with an animal outside his house. Three masked gunmen also held his mother at gunpoint.He described these events as retaliation for his testimony against the gang. Despite this, the judge focused on Hernandez’s own choices.
Implications for the Future
This sentence adds to Hernandez’s legal troubles, bringing into question his music career. Everyone wonders if he can stay out of trouble upon release. For now he faces more time away from the spotlight.
