Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine, 23, 'plans to leave New York and move into home with Fort Knox-like security and guards' after turning on drug dealers for a lighter trafficking sentence
- Tekashi 6ix9ine, born Daniel Hernandez, reportedly wants to move out of New York after his release from prison later this year
- He is said to be interested in hire a team of ex-police or military security guards to protect him at his future 'Fort Knox-like' home out of state
- Hernandez, 23, fears retribution after turning on fellow gang members in exchange for a lighter sentence
- Rapper is not interested in entering witness protection program and intends to resume making music as part of his $10million record deal
Rapper and self-described 'marked man' Tekashi 6ix9ine still has months to go before his anticipated release from prison, but he already is said to be making plans for the future, with his personal security topping his priorities list.
Tekashi, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, has served 14 months of his two-year sentence, which he received after pleading guilty to federal racketeering, drug and weapons charges, and testifying against fellow gang members.
He could regain his freedom as early as August 2020, after which Hernandez plans to move out of Brooklyn, where he was born and raised, and relocate to another state, as TMZ first reported on Monday.
Tekashi 6ix9ine, born Daniel Hernandez, reportedly wants to move out of New York City after his release from prison later this year (pictured in court in October 2018)
Hernandez already has served 14 months of his two-year sentence, which he received after pleading guilty to federal racketeering, drug and weapons charges. He was given a lighter sentence after testifying against fellow gang members
Share this article
The gossip site claimed, citing unnamed sources, that it is the rapper intends to outfit his new home with 'Fort Knox-like security' and hire a team of bodyguards to protect him from anyone seeking to retaliate against him for cooperating with prosecutors.
Hernandez is reportedly interested in security guards with law enforcement or military backgrounds, and no prior gang affiliations.
It might prove a tall order for the artist and Instagram star to find people willing to protect him, after some of his former bodyguards have publicly said that no amount of money is worth risking their lives.
Under the conditions of his sentence, the US Probation and Pretrial Services System will have to approve Hernandez's living arrangements and monitor his movements post-release.
The rapper is said to be eager to return to the studio and resume making music as part of his existing $10million record deal, but he will not be performing live anytime soon due to safety concerns.
Despite repeatedly expressing fear that someone may try to kill him for informing on Bloods gang members, Hernandez has rejected the idea of entering the federal witness protection program, where he would have been given a new identity.
He helped convict Bloods gang members Aljermiah Mack (right) and Anthony Ellison (left), reducing his sentence from what could have been decades behind bars
The rapper is not interested in entering the witness protection program and intends to resume making music as part of his $10million record deal
Two weeks ago, a federal judge rejected Hernandez's plea to serve the remainder of his sentence at home after he argued that he was a target inside the prison.
The 23-year-old is locked up at a secret facility but his lawyer argued he should at least be moved to a community correctional facility because the Nine Trey Gangster Bloods street gang has a presence at his current jail.
Judge Paul A. Engelmayer said the sentence was meant to 'reflect the seriousness of his crimes,' even as he praised the rapper's cooperation as 'game'-changing' and 'brave.'
Before offering prosecutors information that led to the convictions of gang members Aljermiah Mack and Anthony Ellison, Hernandez faced a minimum of 37 years in prison.
Hernandez's role in convicting the Bloods members was 'not only substantial, it was extraordinary,' Assistant US Attorney Michael Longyear told the Associated Press. 'He was truthful. He was forthcoming. He was an open book.'
Longyear noted that Hernandez's testimony helped authorities identify and convict other gang members, putting his life in danger.
'Forever, in the government's view, he will have to look over his shoulder,' Longyear said.
