Daniel Hernandez, known globally as Tekashi 6ix9ine, just can’t seem to stay out of a courtroom. It’s almost like a recurring character arc at this point. After dodging a massive 47-year prison sentence back in 2019 by cooperating against the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, he was supposed to be coasting through the final stretch of his five-year supervised release. Instead, he’s back in the system.
Honestly, it’s a mess.
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In late 2024 and throughout 2025, the rapper faced a series of legal hits that turned his "freedom" into a revolving door of hearings and jail cells. If you've been following the headlines, you've seen the clips of him in court with platinum hair or long dark braids, looking a lot different from the rainbow-haired provocateur who broke the internet with "GUMMO." But the legal reality is much grittier than the social media drama.
The Breakdown of Tekashi 6ix9ine Violations Supervised Release
When a judge gives you a break after you "fink" on a violent gang, the rules are usually ironclad. Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, who has overseen Hernandez’s case from the start, made it very clear that the court’s patience had evaporated. The Tekashi 6ix9ine violations supervised release drama didn't just happen all at once; it was a slow burn of "cutting corners," as the judge put it.
By October 2024, the probation department had enough. They flagged several major issues:
- Unauthorized Travel: Hernandez flew to Las Vegas to perform a concert without getting the green light from his probation officer.
- Failed Drug Tests: He tested positive for methamphetamine. He claimed it was just his prescription Adderall, but the court wasn't buying the excuse.
- Missing Appointments: He simply didn't show up for scheduled drug tests.
- The Dominican Republic Incidents: He had been arrested in Santo Domingo earlier in 2024 for alleged domestic violence and was accused of fleeing the country through Haiti to avoid a warrant.
By November 2024, Engelmayer sentenced him to 45 days in prison. Hernandez told the judge, "I'm not a bad person," and apologized, but the judge noted a "full spectrum disregard for the law." That was just the beginning of the end for his original supervised release term.
The 2025 Raid and the Final Sentence
You’d think 45 days in solitary confinement—which is where he spent that stint for his own safety—would be a wake-up call. Nope. In March 2025, police raided his Miami home. They were looking for a gun based on a tip, but what they found was ecstasy pills and cocaine residue in his bedroom.
Then came August 2025. Hernandez got into a physical altercation at a Florida mall, punching a man who was reportedly taunting him about being a "snitch." While his fans might see that as standing his ground, the federal government sees it as a violation of the "conduct yourself like a law-abiding citizen" rule.
In December 2025, the hammer finally dropped. Judge Engelmayer sentenced Hernandez to another three months in federal prison.
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"From time to time your actions suggest that you believe that ordinary rules don't apply to you," Engelmayer told him during the sentencing.
The rapper gave a heavy, emotional speech about the price of his cooperation. He talked about a coffin being left at his house with a dead animal inside and his mother being held at gunpoint by masked men. He basically argued that the stress of being a marked man drove him to some of these poor choices.
Where is Tekashi 6ix9ine Now?
As of January 6, 2026, Daniel Hernandez is back behind bars. He reported to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn to serve his three-month sentence. It’s the same facility housing some high-profile names, which is a bit of a nightmare for someone with a "government cooperator" label on their file.
His legal team originally pushed for home confinement, citing the massive security risks he faces in a federal lockup. The judge didn't budge. After this three-month stint is over, Hernandez isn't exactly "free." His probation has been extended by another year, and he'll be under even tighter scrutiny, including electronic monitoring and a month of home incarceration.
Lessons from the 6ix9ine Legal Saga
The Tekashi 6ix9ine violations supervised release case is a textbook example of how "technical" violations can ruin a plea deal. If you or anyone you know is navigating the federal probation system, there are a few blunt realities to keep in mind:
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- Permission is not optional. In the eyes of a federal judge, traveling for work (like a concert) without a signed paper from a PO is treated the same as "on the lamb" behavior.
- Prescriptions require proof. If you're taking medication that could trigger a positive drug test, it has to be documented before the test happens, not explained away after.
- The "Corner-Cutting" Pattern. Judges rarely throw someone in jail for one late arrival. They look for a pattern of behavior that shows you don't respect their authority. Engelmayer specifically cited Hernandez’s 136-mph speeding ticket and his "boasting" on podcasts about escaping foreign warrants as evidence of his mindset.
The rapper is expected to be out by the spring of 2026, provided he stays out of trouble while inside. His lawyers say he’s ready to focus on music, but with his history, the line between "law-abiding citizen" and "defendant" remains incredibly thin.
To stay updated on his release status or upcoming court filings, you can monitor the Southern District of New York (SDNY) court records or follow official updates from the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator using his register number.