Tekashi69 asks to serve prison sentence under house arrest over gang retaliation fears

Rapper received a reduced sentence after testifying against the Nine Trey Gangster Bloods

Tekashin6ix9ine arrives for his arraignment at the Harris County Courthouse on 22 August, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Tekashi 6ix9ine has reportedly asked a judge to allow him to serve the remainder of his sentence at home, on the grounds that he believes he is at risk while in jail.

TMZ reports that his lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, filed a request to allow the rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, to serve the rest of his 24-month sentence under house arrest or in a community correctional facility.

He claims his safety is at serious risk because he “snitched” on a notorious gang, the Nine Trey Gangster Bloods, and believes the private jail he is in also houses Blood members.

Hernandez received a reduced sentence last month in a racketeering case, after giving much-publicised testimony about fellow rappers and his former crew.

Before testifying, he had faced decades in prison after pleading guilty to racketeering and other charges. The judge overseeing the case said he deserved a substantial reduction due to his cooperation.

“It was game-changing,” US District Judge Paul Engelmayer said of Hernandez’s testimony in December 2019. “It was complete and it was brave.”

Prior to his sentencing, Hernandez expressed regret for joining the Nine Trey Bloods, apologising to his family, fans and victims in the case.

“I’m not a victim,” he said. “I put myself in this position from day one. I made a lot of bad choices in life, but that does not make me a bad person.”

He added: “I’m happy that the public was able to witness me dealing with the consequences of my actions because I feel like it sheds a light on what can come from gang affiliation.”