Coronavirus May Result in 6ix9ine Early Release
The spread of the coronavirus meant confinement for most of the world, but it just might mean freedom for imprisoned rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine.
Rolling Stone reports that the rapper’s lawyer had filed a motion to have the rapper released as his asthma puts him in a vulnerable spot with regards to the coronavirus. The lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, argued that the spread of the coronavirus in the prison system endangered his client and was enough grounds for compassionate release.
Lazzaro’s work towards freeing the rapper began last week when the motion for release was first submitted. Presiding Judge Paul Engelmayer initially did not rule on the motion, saying that he had no jurisdiction over it and that Lazzaro should approach the Bureau of Prisons instead.
However, it turned out that the Bureau of Prisons couldn’t decide on the rapper’s release either, as he was being held in a privately-run prison. Lazzaro then appealed to Engelmayer once more.
A letter from the United States Attorney Geoffrey Berman that was obtained by Rolling Stone revealed that the United States government was not opposed to granting 6ix9ine a compassionate release.
As reported by the BBC, Tekashi 6ix9ine -- real name Daniel Hernandez -- was sentenced to two years in prison on charges of racketeering, conspiracy murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a firearm.
This all came from his involvement with the gang Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods. Hernandez had initially been facing either 47 years or life in prison, but he opted for a plea bargain instead so his sentence could be reduced.
Hernandez ended up giving information on gang members Aljermiah Mack and Anthony Ellison, both of whom also ended up being convicted. Mack was found guilty of drug dealing while Ellison was found guilty of assault, maiming, and kidnapping. Outside of his gang dealings, Hernandez had also pled guilty in 2015 to a charge of using a child in a sexual performance.
Before this news of his possible release, Hernandez had been on the 17th month of his two-year sentence. His 13 months in prison before the plea bargain was counted as time served.
As a rapper, Hernandez had a Billboard Hot 100 hit with the song “Gummo.” His “Day69” mixtape reached number four on the Billboard 200, with three singles charting on the Hot 100. His most successful single has been "Fefe," featured Nicki Minaj and was produced by Murda Beatz. "Fefe" reached all the way to number three on the Hot 100.