Controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine has been arrested and charged with various crimes regarding his affiliation with the Nine Trey Bloods gang in New York. Tekashi, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, was arrested along with several ex-members of his management team. Hernandez fired his entire management team one week ago, a move that made many believe he was attempting to distance himself from any illegal actions that may have happened behind the scenes. The other men who were arrested included Tekashi’s ex-manager Kifano Jordan, also known as Shottie. Shottie had recently turned himself into police following a shooting incident earlier this year. The other men arrested were Jensel Butler, Jamel Jones and Fahem Walter. Earlier this month, Hernandez was the subject of a drive-by shooting in California during a music video for a song with artists Kanye West and Nicki Minaj. Nobody was hurt during that incident.

This past Friday, the rapper went on the radio talk show “Breakfast Club” and stated that he fired his management because he did not trust them. On Saturday morning the FBI picked up Tekashi and offered him protection, feeling he may be in danger from his other gang members. Hernandez then voluntarily left protective custody Saturday evening before being picked up again the next day and charged with racketeering, armed robbery and various other crimes. In total, the rapper may be facing 32 years to life in prison. Photos have come forward that place Tekashi at the scene of several of the crimes, including a shooting in April at the Barclays Center and another in Brooklyn a few months later. Hernandez’s lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, attempted to secure a million dollar bail under the conditions that the rapper would surrender his passport and be placed under house arrest, but this was denied as the judge and members of the investigation feared for his safety.

As of now, Hernandez is being kept in the general population portion of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. In the meantime, his legal team is currently attempting to appeal the decision to withhold bail. This will most likely be difficult regardless of the threats to Tekashi’s safety, as the rapper was already placed on probation following a case where he was charged with the use of a child in a sexual act. Hernandez was placed on probation following the case and told not to be arrested for any other charges and that he was not allowed to associate with any known gang members. Both of those terms were violated due to this new case and will work against his goal of being granted bail. This incident comes just days after Tekashi announced the tracklist to his upcoming album Dummy Boy.

UPDATE 11/27/18:

Tekashi 6ix9ine has pleaded not guilty to all charges and his trial has been set for September 4th, 2019. The rapper’s label has also delayed the release of his upcoming album, Dummy Boy, but the project was leaked over the weekend.