Tekashi 6ix9ine to Gain Early Release Due to Coronavirus Worries

An update to our previous story here, in which rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine was making a bid for early release through his lawyer.

Manhattan Federal Judge Paul Engelmayer has ordered that Tekashi 6ix9ine, real name Daniel Hernandez, be released immediately from federal custody from the prison in Queens, New York where he is being held.

Judge Engelmayer signed the order on Wednesday, but delayed publicly posting it until Thursday at 4 p.m.

Tekashi will serve his first four months in “home incarceration” at an address approved by his probation officer, Engelmayer wrote. He’ll be tracked by GPS, via an ankle monitor.

“The defendant must remain at his residence except to seek any necessary medical treatment or to visit his attorney, in each instance with prior notice and approval by the Probation Department,”  Engelmayer wrote.

Tekashi’s early release was granted following repeated requests through his lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, for compassionate release on health grounds. Tekashi suffers from asthma and could be at serious risk if he contracts coronavirus whilst in prison.

Tekashi’s conviction stemmed from his association with a violent US gang Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, who are also known as TreyWay. He joined the gang in 2017 but left shortly after.

At his trial in 2019, he initially denied the charges against him (racketeering, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a firearm and conspiracy to murder) but entered a plea bargain, giving evidence against other gang members in order to get a reduced sentence after potentially facing life in prison.

Tekashi told about the inner-workings of the gang and gave information on Anthony Ellison and Aljermiah Mack. Both men have since been convicted.

In October of last year, it was reported that Tekashi had signed a new record deal whilst in prison. The deal with label 10K Projects is said to be worth $10m (£8m) and is for two albums – one in English and Spanish.