Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine released from jail over Coronavirus fears

After 17 months in federal custody, Daniel “Tekashi 6ix9ine” Hernandez could be released from prison as early as Wednesday afternoon. His attorney, Lance Lazzaro, filed a motion to release him immediately due to the spread of COVID-19 through the prison system.

After a series of appeals to both the judge in the case and the Bureau of Prisons, says 6ix9ine could be released.

The process began last week, when Lazzaro first submitted a motion to release Hernandez, pointing out that Hernandez’ asthma put him at risk from the virus. Judge Paul Engelmayer, who’s presided over the case and gave Hernandez his two-year sentence (including the 13 months he’d already served) following the rapper’s cooperation in his racketeering charge, asserted that he did not have jurisdiction over the matter, and suggested Lazzaro file a motion with the Bureau of Prisons.

The 23-year-old rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, had been serving a 24-month sentence after pleading guilty to nine charges including conspiracy to murder and armed robbery at an upstate New York prison. He has already served 13 months of his two-year sentence, and was due to be released in August 2020.

 

The decision to release him to home confinement comes as New York City is battling the spread of the coronavirus, including in prisons and jails with at least 180 cases of coronavirus already confirmed at several jails in the City.

 

According to NME, 6ix9ine will serve his first four months of home incarceration with supervision, which will be enforced by GPS monitoring. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, he will have to stay at his residence unless he asks permission from the probation department to seek medical treatment or talk with his lawyer.