NEW YORK—Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine made an unsuccessful plea on Tuesday to a federal judge to avoid jail time, addressing him as “bro” and claiming he never intended to violate the terms of his probation stemming from a felony conviction.
Judge Paul A. Engelmayer in Manhattan ordered his detention for at least two weeks, citing various alleged misconduct, including failing drug tests and not obtaining necessary permission for travel, which he viewed as a lack of respect for the law.
The judge also mentioned that the rapper left the Dominican Republic earlier this year, in violation of a court order to stay there after being arrested in January on domestic violence charges and detained in October 2023 for allegedly assaulting a local music producer. Tekashi 6ix9ine’s legal team claims he is being unfairly treated in a corrupt judicial system.
In 2019, Engelmayer sentenced him to two years in prison in a racketeering case. The artist, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, pleaded guilty in 2019 to charges related to violence by the gang Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods.
Tekashi 6ix9ine was expected to appear in court on Tuesday morning. When he failed to do so, Engelmayer issued an arrest warrant. The rapper was later arrested when he showed up, accused of repeatedly violating his probation through a pattern of noncompliance.
Engelmayer, who had granted Tekashi 6ix9ine early release in April 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, was firm as the rapper stood before him.
He appeared to soften slightly after Tekashi 6ix9ine insisted on addressing him directly and apologized for his tardiness.
The rapper claimed he had completed most of his supervised release term but encountered issues after his supervision was transferred to Florida. He disputed allegations of not seeking permission to travel to Las Vegas for a show and explained missing drug tests due to a misunderstanding.
After the hearing, Tekashi 6ix9ine’s lawyer expressed confidence that the alleged violations would be dismissed. The musician’s next court date is set for Nov. 12.
By Larry Neumeister
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