Tekashi 6ix9ine, whose vibrant rainbow-haired image has become synonymous with controversy, was remanded into custody for at least two weeks on Tuesday, amid a flurry of alleged infractions that painted a picture of disregard for legal boundaries. These violations encompassed testing positive for methamphetamine, embarking on an unsanctioned trip to Las Vegas, and arriving an hour tardy for his court appearance.
Manhattan's federal Judge Paul Engelmayer, addressing the rapper born Daniel Hernandez, lambasted him for exhibiting a "sweeping disdain for the law" and breaching the conditions of his supervised release. Tekashi, who had been a free man since 2020 after serving a two-year prison sentence for conspiracy to commit murder, among other charges tied to his association with the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, found himself back in legal hot water.
Scheduled to appear in court at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Tekashi's tardiness by an hour only added fuel to Engelmayer's fire, prompting an immediate order for his arrest. "I'm not a bad person," Tekashi, now 28, protested during an afternoon court session, explaining that he had flown in from Florida the night before and "woke up late."
Prosecutor Jonathan Rebold revealed to Engelmayer that Tekashi, renowned for his inked-up appearance and hits like "Gummo," had tested positive for methamphetamine twice in the preceding fortnight and had even failed to appear for a drug test, despite having approximately six months left on his five-year supervised release term. This term was meant to keep him out of trouble.
Tekashi's attorney, Lance Lazzaro, attempted to justify his client's positive meth test by attributing it to the prescription drug Adderall, which contains methamphetamine. However, prosecutors also charged Tekashi with taking an unauthorized trip to Las Vegas for a concert, further undermining his compliance with legal stipulations.
Engelmayer highlighted Tekashi's numerous arrests since his release, including a bust in the Dominican Republic and a speeding incident in Florida where he was caught driving at 136 mph in a 65 mph zone, as indicative of a broader pattern of lawlessness. The judge concluded that Tekashi demonstrated a persistent disregard for authority and ordered him detained until the next court hearing on November 12, where his fate regarding continued freedom would be deliberated.
Tekashi's legal troubles form a litany of controversies. The embattled informant was arrested in the Dominican Republic for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, Yailín la Más Viral, in January. He also faced charges for assaulting two music producers in the same country and pleaded guilty in 2015 to using a 13-year-old in a sexual performance.
Tekashi's testimony against his former Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods associates played a pivotal role in their convictions, including a gang leader sentenced to 17 years on drug trafficking and racketeering charges. In exchange for his cooperation with federal authorities, Tekashi secured a plea deal that reduced his prison sentence to just two years.
