6ix9ine_/InstagramTekashi69 has been arrested on racketeering charges.
The BEBE rapper has been taken into federal custody along with his former manager Shottie and two other former associates for racketeering – getting involved in fraudulent and dishonest business dealing.
According to TMZ, Tekashi was arrested on Sunday night (November 18) in New York City by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
All four men are facing racketeering and firearms charges.
In October, Tekashi was sentenced to four years probation in a child sex case with the requirements he performed 1,000 hours of community service and avoided all gang activity.
In court, the rapper pleaded guilty to one count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance in 2015.
After his sentencing, Tekashi, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, addressed the judge and spoke of how his fans looked up to him, saying:
I have millions of youth that look at me as a role model and the last place I want to be is incarcerated, they don’t deserve it. Thank you.
The rapper’s reps told TMZ:
Daniel understands what he must do now moving forward and we will be with him every step of the way. We also want to thank the judge for being very fair and impartial.
If Tekashi was found to have breached the conditions of his sentencing, he was told he could face prison. Less than a month later however, here we are.
The stipulations issued by the judge suggest yesterday’s arrest is likely to lead to some time behind bars for the rapper.
Last week, Tekashi shared an Instagram post explaining he’d fired all of his employees, including manager and PR staff, and that he was cancelling the shows on his US tour.
He warned anyone buying tickets to his shows that they were actually having their money stolen, saying:
I am letting everybody know I cancelled my whole tour, the American dates is not happening, it’s not going down. I fired everybody in my team, I fired my manager, booking agent, PR, publicist.
Whoever is booking shows for Tekashi69 is stealing your f**king money. If you are not on the phone with me do not book that show, it’s not me.
GettyFor anyone who didn’t get the message, I’m sure the news of the rapper’s arrest will make them more wary about trying to buy tickets to see him.
The investigation surrounding Tekashi, his former manager and his associates is said to be a joint effort by ATF, New York Police Department and Homeland Security.
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.