Daniel Hernandez is headed back to the Metropolitan Detention Center. Again. You probably know him better as Tekashi 6ix9ine, the rapper with the rainbow hair and the "69" tattoos who basically broke the internet in 2019 by testifying against his own gang. Honestly, most people thought he’d be living in witness protection by now. Instead, he’s been living in the headlines, and not for his music. On December 5, 2025, Judge Paul Engelmayer finally hit his limit. He sentenced the 29-year-old rapper to three months in federal prison followed by another year of supervised release.
It feels like a never-ending loop.
The Breaking Point in Manhattan
The courtroom vibe in Manhattan was heavy. Hernandez showed up in a red hoodie and white Crocs, looking more like a guy heading to a late-night gas station run than a federal sentencing. But the charges were serious. This wasn't just about missing a meeting. This tekashi 6ix9ine supervised release violations sentence stems from a March police raid at his Miami home where authorities found cocaine and ecstasy.
Then there’s the mall fight.
Back in August, at a Florida shopping center, someone reportedly taunted him about being a "rat." Hernandez didn't walk away. He punched the guy. For Judge Engelmayer, who has overseen Hernandez’s case since the beginning, this was the "dumpster fire" moment. The judge didn't hold back. He told Hernandez, "From time to time your actions suggest that you believe that ordinary rules don't apply to you." It's a blunt assessment for a guy who was originally facing 47 years but got out in two because he cooperated.
A Pattern of "Cutting Corners"
You’ve got to wonder how we got here. Hernandez was actually less than a year away from finishing his original five-year probation term. He was that close to being a free man. But the violations just kept stacking up like bad luck or bad decisions. Or both.
Take a look at what the court actually looked at:
- The Miami Raid: Police found "residual" cocaine and MDMA in his bedroom.
- The Mall Battery: That punch in Florida was a clear violation of the "stay out of trouble" rule.
- The Vegas Trip: Earlier in the year, he jetted off to Las Vegas for a concert without asking his probation officer. You can't just leave the state when you're on federal paper.
- Failed Drug Tests: He tested positive for methamphetamines at one point, though he claimed it was just his Adderall prescription.
The "Two Steps Forward, One Step Back" Defense
During the hearing, things got emotional. Hernandez gave a long speech—the kind where your voice starts to crack. He brought props. He held up photos and printouts to show the judge what his life is actually like. He talked about a coffin being left at his house with a dead animal inside. He mentioned three masked gunmen holding his mother at gunpoint.
"Each scenario, I walked away," Hernandez told the court. "How many times do I have to walk away for you guys to see it's a pattern?"
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He was trying to paint a picture of a man constantly under siege. He argued that his "violations" were often reactions to the impossible pressure of being the most famous "snitch" in the world. He even claimed the music industry has "blackballed" him, making it hard to earn a living.
Judge Engelmayer wasn't totally unmoved. He actually shortened the sentence from what the probation department recommended (which was up to nine months) down to three. He acknowledged that Hernandez has faced legitimate threats. But he also called out the "hypocrisy" of Hernandez asking for compassionate release during COVID-19 because of his asthma, only to be spotted out at restaurants weeks later before a vaccine even existed.
What Happens Next?
Hernandez officially turned himself in on January 6, 2026. He's back in the MDC in Brooklyn, a place he knows all too well. Before he went in, he did a livestream with Adin Ross. He wanted to make one thing very clear: "I am not suicidal. I do not want to kill myself... I'm literally going in there for 90 days."
He seems to be treating this like a brief "time out" rather than a life-altering event. He even joked as he left the courthouse that he planned to lose weight in jail by eating nothing but Oreo cookies.
Once he gets out in April 2026, he’s not off the hook. He’s got:
- One month of home incarceration.
- One month of home detention.
- A strictly enforced curfew for a third month.
- An extra year added to his supervised release.
- Zero international travel and constant electronic monitoring.
The legal system is basically putting him on the shortest leash possible. If he so much as sneezes without permission, he’s looking at more time. For a guy whose brand is built on being a provocateur, "staying quiet" is a tall order.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case:
- Monitor the MDC Brooklyn status: Any issues within the facility often affect high-profile inmates like Hernandez first.
- Watch the "Kartel Music" deal: He reportedly signed with a regional Mexican label; his ability to record while on home incarceration will determine if his career survives this latest stint.
- Check the April 2026 release date: Federal sentences are usually served at 85%, but since this is a short-term violation sentence, he’ll likely serve the full 90 days.
This tekashi 6ix9ine supervised release violations sentence is a reminder that the federal government has a very long memory. You can't just "vibe" your way out of supervised release. Either you follow the rules to the letter, or you end up back in a jumpsuit. Hernandez is finding that out the hard way for the second time in two years.