6ix9ine Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison
6ix9ine is not coming home for the holidays.
The 23-year-old rapper will remain behind bars after being sentenced to two years in prison following a high-profile federal case.
Tekashi, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, appeared in court for his sentencing hearing on Wednesday after being arrested on racketeering charges on Nov. 18. He was facing a minimum of 47 years in prison after pleading guilty to nine counts in January.
He has already served 13 months in a federal jail, which will count toward his sentence. He will be released by late 2020. Once free, he will be on supervised release for five years, and will have to complete 300 hours of community service and pay a $35,000 fine.
6ix9ine cooperated with the feds by testifying against members of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods. His snitching, which prosecutors called “extraordinary” and “extremely useful,” led to the conviction of his former gang affiliates, Anthony “Harv” Ellison and Aljermiah “Nuke” Mack.
His lawyer had requested time served and three years of supervised release. However, Judge Engelmayer ultimately disagreed, saying his conduct was “too violent and selfish to make 13 months reasonable.”
The judge cited his crimes including the shooting at a member of Trippie Redd’s entourage and the attempted shooting of Chief Keef outside the W Hotel in New York, for which he paid $10,000.
“Mr. Hernandez, if you expected to be released today, you will be disappointed,” Judge Engelmayer told 6ix9ine. “But you were wise to cooperate. Your cooperation will result in years more liberty.”
Judge Engelmayer: However, I cannot agree with your counsel that time served it appropriate. In my judgment, your conduct is too violent and selfish to make 13 months reasonable. You will not be going free today.#Breaking
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Judge Engelmayer: Mr Hernandez, if you expected to be released today, you will be disappointed. But you were wise to cooperate. Your cooperation will result in years more liberty.
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Judge Engelmayer: I impose 300 hours of community service when you get out, and a fine of $35,000. Mr Hernandez, the worst part is over. There is a great deal to be admired about you. You're learned a hard lesson here. I wish you very very well. We are adjourned.
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Prior to his sentencing, Tekashi took the stand to address the judge by reading from a letter he wrote. “I know there is no apology that can kill off the pain we have all been effected by. I’m not perfect. I made a lot of bad choice but that does not make me a bad person.”
Hernandez: If you told me in January 2017 I'd be a global star, I'd call your crazy. If in January 2018 you'd tell me I'd be part of a federal indictment, I'd call you crazy… Since the age of 14, when I lost my father. At 15, 16, 17 I'd see my mom wake up early
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
He also shared stories of meeting young fans including a 5-year-old boy who had cancer. “I failed these kids, the millions of kids, my own kids, I haven’t spoke too, the whole time incarcerated. It will be a priority of mine to visit low income families.”
He vowed to become a changed man. “Your Honor, allow me to inspire people. Not only the young people here, but the millions around the world listening and watching,” he said in closing. 6ix9ine’s biological father tried to speak but was turned down.
Earlier this week, 6ix9ine penned a remorseful apology to the judge with hopes of a lighter sentence. “I now know that I am remorseful for what happened because I was blessed with the gift of an opportunity that most people dream of but I squandered it by getting involved with the wrong people and misrepresenting myself when I should have been true to myself and my fans,” he said.