Tekashi 6ix9ine has been incarcerated for a minimum of two weeks as of Tuesday due to multiple alleged infractions, which include testing positive for methamphetamine, traveling to Las Vegas, and arriving an hour late to court.
A federal judge in Manhattan sharply criticized the rapper known for his vibrant hair, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, for showing a complete lack of respect for the law and breaching the conditions of his supervised release.
Since 2020, Tekashi has enjoyed his freedom after serving two years in prison for various charges, including conspiracy to commit murder linked to his association with the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods gang.
He was scheduled to appear in court at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, but arrived an hour late, prompting Engelmayer to express his frustration and issue an arrest order.
“I’m not a bad person,” Tekashi, 28, stated in court during an afternoon session, mentioning that he had arrived in New York Monday night from Florida.
“I got up later than usual.”
Prosecutor Jonathan Rebold informed Engelmayer that the tattooed rapper has recently tested positive for meth on two occasions within the past two weeks and skipped a drug test, all while having approximately six months remaining on his five-year supervised release period.
Tekashi was expected to avoid any issues following that release.
Lance Lazzaro, representing the accused, asserted that the positive test for meth was merely a misunderstanding, attributing it to his client’s use of the prescription medication Adderall, which includes methamphetamine.
Authorities have also alleged that Tekashi embarked on an unauthorized journey to Las Vegas for a performance.
Engelmayer highlighted his numerous arrests following his release, which included an incident in the Dominican Republic and a speeding arrest in Florida for driving 136 mph in a 65 mph zone, framing these events as indicative of a consistent disregard for the law.
The judge indicated that Tekashi exhibited a “broader pattern” of misconduct and mandated his incarceration until the upcoming court session on Nov. 12, during which the matter of his potential release would be addressed.
Tekashi faces a daunting array of legal challenges. The controversial figure was taken into custody in the Dominican Republic for reportedly attacking his girlfriend, Yailín la Más Viral, back in January. He had also faced charges for reportedly attacking two music producers in the Dominican Republic and had entered a guilty plea in 2015 for involving a 13-year-old in a sexual performance.
Tekashi’s statements during the trial of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods contributed to the conviction of his former associates, including a gang leader who received a 17-year sentence for drug dealing and racketeering offenses.
The hip-hop provocateur struck a deal with federal authorities that resulted in a reduced sentence of just two years in prison, trading information on gang members for leniency.