Tekashi 6ix9ine was arraigned in Manhattan Federal Court on Monday (November 19) after being arrested on racketeering and weapons charges over the weekend. Feds have determined the controversial rapper is a member of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods.
6ix9ine appeared in court alongside his former manager Kifano “Shotti” Jordan, Jensel “Ish” Butler, Fuguan “Fu Banga” Lovick and Faheem “Crippy” Walter who were also taken into custody. The arrests followed a joint investigation by the NYPD, Homeland Security Investigations and ATF.
According to a United States Department of Justice press release, all five men are accused of being involved in “a criminal organization” who participated in drug deals, armed robberies and shootings.
The feds believe 6ix9ine was involved in an April 3 armed robbery with Jordan and two other members of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods. The press release states they robbed their gang rivals at gunpoint.
AD LOADING...
The indictment also names Lovick as the triggerman behind the Barclays Center shooting in April.
In total, 6ix9ine and his crew are facing 17 counts dating back to 2013. Two of the charges — using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was discharged — carry a maximum sentence of life in prison if 6ix9ine is convicted.
“As alleged in the indictment, this gang, which included platinum-selling rap artist Tekashi 6ix9ine, wreaked havoc on New York City, engaging in brazen acts of violence,” U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said in the press release. “Showing reckless indifference to others’ safety, members of the gang were allegedly involved in robberies and shootings, including a shooting inside the crowded Barclay’s Center, and a shooting in which an innocent bystander was hit. Thanks to the extraordinary work of HSI, ATF, and the NYPD, the defendants will now face justice in federal court.”
Federal court reporter Kaja Whitehouse tweeted that one of 6ix9ine’s alleged co-conspirators suggested the feds aren’t planning to grant them bail.
