NEW YORK — The rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine has received a 45-day prison sentence from a federal judge due to several breaches of his probation, which occurred after he had cooperated with authorities in a case involving a violent gang. Judge Paul A. Engelmayer expressed that the numerous violations demonstrated a lack of respect for the judicial system and existing rules.

The sentencing comes five years after Tekashi, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, initially received a two-year prison term that could have escalated to decades had he not turned state’s witness against the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods gang. The judge noted that the rapper had violated probation on five separate occasions, including failing to attend mandatory drug tests, unauthorized travel to Las Vegas from Florida, and providing false information to his probation officer. Engelmayer remarked these actions sent a clear message that Tekashi perhaps believed he was above the law due to his celebrity status.

Prior to the sentencing, Tekashi 6ix9ine expressed regret, stating he felt disappointed to confront the judge again just months away from the expiration of his probation. He sincerely apologized, acknowledging his mistakes and taking full responsibility for his actions. “I let myself down. I let my family down,” he stated, pleading for a chance to rectify his life.

Following his time in jail, Tekashi will face additional restrictions as part of a one-year extension to his probation. This includes a month of home confinement, a month of house arrest, and another month of curfew, along with the stipulation that he cannot travel outside the country, coupled with electronic monitoring.

In April 2020, he was released from prison early due to health concerns, as he suffers from asthma and was vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19 within correctional facilities. After being arrested again on October 29, Tekashi spent two weeks in solitary confinement, which the judge noted as a factor in deciding against a longer jail sentence.

Back in 2018, Tekashi was arrested for allegedly associating with the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods and attempting to incite violence against rival gang members. Judge Engelmayer acknowledged that while the violations were not drastically severe, they constituted significant breaches of the court’s trust.

Additionally, he highlighted the rapper’s close encounters with the law, referencing two arrests in the Dominican Republic and a speeding incident where Tekashi was caught driving at 136 mph in a 65 mph zone. “Your repeated brushes with the law underscore the need to get this message across to you,” the judge emphasized.