Veteran rapper Daniel Hernandez, widely known by his stage name Tekashi 6ix9ine, was handed a fresh three-month prison sentence by a federal judge this week after admitting to multiple violations of his supervised release. The move underscores the court’s frustration over the Brooklyn artist’s repeated legal missteps — including a physical altercation and a drug possession charge — and signals zero tolerance for further infractions.
Why He’s Back Behind Bars
Violation of Release Terms: Assault and Drugs
During a recent hearing in Manhattan, the 29-year-old admitted that his supervised release had been breached in two separate incidents. First, law enforcement found small quantities of cocaine and MDMA during a police raid at his Miami residence earlier this year. Secondly, prosecutors say he physically assaulted a man in August at a Florida mall, following a verbal confrontation over his cooperation with gang-related case investigators.
Judge Refuses Home Confinement, Demands Deterrence
Despite a request from Hernandez’s legal team to allow him to serve the sentence via house arrest, the presiding judge balked — calling such leniency akin to a “slap on the wrist.” Instead, the court insisted that incarceration was necessary to reinforce consequences. The rapper had previously received a 45-day jail term in November 2024 after earlier probation violations.
A Troubled Past: From Cooperation to Court Scrutiny
Back in 2019, Hernandez pleaded guilty for his role in a gang-related racketeering case. As part of a cooperation deal, he was handed a reduced prison sentence, followed by five years of supervised release. He was released early in 2020 due to COVID-era measures.
But subsequent arrests and probation breaches — including drug-test failures, unauthorized travel, and use of controlled substances — have put him under renewed legal scrutiny. The latest sentence makes clear that the court is growing impatient with repeated transgressions.
What’s Next for the Rapper
Upon completion of this three-month term, the artist will remain under close supervision and face an extended probation period. Any future violations could trigger harsher penalties, including longer jail time or stricter release conditions. For now, his freedom remains in limbo — and only strict compliance can restore it fully.
