UPDATE: In a couple of Instagram stories, the mother of Tekashi’s child Sara Molina has reacted to the sentencing.
His biological father also spoke about the sentencing outside the court:
Previous story:
The day of reckoning for Tekashi 6ix9ine is here. The rapper has been sentenced to two years in prison with five years of supervised release. He will also have to serve 300 hours of community service and pay a fine of $35000. His 13 months time served will be taken into account for the 2 years sentence, which means he will be out by late 2020.
The viral sensation was sentenced Wednesday morning at Manhattan Federal Court for crimes related to his former gang, Nine Trey Bloods. In November 2018, the feds arrested Tekashi, born Daniel Hernandez and a bunch of his Nine Trey associates on racketeering and firearms charges. The 22-year-old rapper was facing more than four decades in prison on nine federal charges including racketeering, conspiracy, and narcotics trafficking.
Judge Engelmayer: Mr Hernandez, please rise. It is the judgment of the court you are to serve a term of 24 months in prison, with five years of supervised release.
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
In September, Tekashi agreed to plead guilty to “violent crimes, shootings, and drug dealing” as part of his cooperation with the authorities. He eventually copped to nine federal counts under a cooperation deal, in the hopes of getting a much lighter sentence from the judge. Prosecutors had said that if Tekashi agreed to “successfully cooperate,” they would only ask for a “below any mandatory minimum” sentence for him. Hernandez testified in the racketeering case against two purported Nine Trey members: Anthony “Harv” Ellison and Aljermiah “Nuke” Mack.
Tekashi said in the leaked audio that when he used to get booked for shows and performances, Nine Trey Bloods members would take about half of it and pass the rest to him. Tekashi also spilled the beans on the Times Square shooting involving Chief Keef. He admitted that he arranged the hit and promised $20k to the shooter.
A few days ago, he wrote a letter to Judge Paul Engelmayer, begging for a second chance. “I find it difficult to find the right words to express what my life has been like for the last year,” the rapper said. “It honestly feels like my world is crashing down.”
Judge Engelmayer said to Tekashi while pronouncing the breaking judgment: “Mr. Hernandez, I’ve given it a lot of close thought, including your cooperation. The following are my thoughts, & this is going to take a little while. You are in custody for 13 months. I agree you deserve a great deal of credit for cooperation. 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.”
Today in the court, Tekashi again asked for another chance so he can inspire young kids who look up to him. Here is a brief by Inner City Press:
Judge Engelmayer: Thank you, Mr. Lazzaro. Mr Hernandez, this is your time.#6ix9ine / Hernandez: "Your Honor, I really don't know where to start. [Pause]. This past year, I can't describe it. I wrote something down. I know we haven't had the chance to speak.
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Hernandez: I denounced being Nine Trey before the arrest. I was aware that the mother of my child was having sexual relations with Kifano Jordan. Via text messages. I was already kidnapped by Anthony Ellison. The booking agents were stealing hundreds of $1000s
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Hernandez: I am not a victim. I put myself into this position from Day One. I allowed them in. That was my decision. To the lady who came forward, Ms. LL, I don't know you. I'm sorry for what happened.
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Hernandez: I know that throwing my money at a situation is not the best result. But whatever medical bills you want me to pay, I will. I'm sorry that happened to you.
I was in third grade the last time I saw my biological father, a fucking glance I took, sorry— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Hernandez: I wrote a letter, I'll read it. [Voice changes] 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.
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
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
Hernandez: I wanted to prove something to the world. I wanted the world to see me as an example, that you are in control of where you go. I used my platform to push the message, If I did it, why can't you? I gave people hope.
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Hernandez: Your honor, a 5 year old boy named Franklin was dying of cancer. He wanted to meet me. I asked myself, Why? But I went. Cancer had disabled the right side of his body. I told him how strong he was.
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Hernandez: I realized I was not just a kid with rainbow hair and 69 tats – Franklin told me I was hope. Then I met another girl named Tati. She broke out of her shell. It was September. The family was struggling. I took them school shopping for the year
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Hernandez: Tati told me, if I can be strong, they can be strong. When people see me, they don't only see Tekashi 69, the arrogant – I'm a human, I got organs just like everyone in this room. They see Daniel Hernandez, not Tekashi 69
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Hernandez: 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.
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Hernandez: I failed these people. They believed in Daniel Hernandez. I was too busy making the negative image in my 69 persona. I know God has a bigger plan for me. I want to inspire the youth that it never too late to change.
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Hernandez: If I can change for the better, so can they. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I lost my father to violence. I grew up with no guidance. It was me, I live it, so I know.
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019
Hernandez: Your Honor, allow me to inspire people. Not only the young people here, but the millions around the world listening and watching. [How?]
Now Mr. Hernandez's biological father raises his hand to speak. Judge Engelmayer says, I'm sorry, it's too late
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 18, 2019