Noted rapper and tattooed tattletale Tekashi 6ix9ine’s cooperation with federal prosecutors has paid off with the conviction of two of his fellow gang members.
On Thursday, jurors convicted Anthony “Harv” Ellison and Aljermiah “Nuke” Mack, the leaders of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, on multiple counts, including federal racketeering conspiracy charges, according to the New York Times. Mack was also found guilty of conspiring to distribute narcotics, while Ellison was convicted for kidnapping Hernandez. The two were acquitted on other charges.
The jury took just 10 hours to find the pair guilty after an eight-day trial, three of which were marked by testimony from Tekashi 6ix9ine, who is still known as Daniel Hernandez until he goes into federal witness protection and changes it to something like Ronald Snitchenrun if he knows what’s good for him. Mr. 6ix9ine agreed to cooperate with authorities less than a day after he was arrested on similar charges and discovered he would be locked away for a minimum of 47 years unless he bawled hard enough to convince prosecutors to write him a letter of recommendation for his exemplary snitching talents
And on Thursday, jurors in Federal District Court in Manhattan found those two Nine Trey members guilty of racketeering conspiracy and other offenses, marking an important victory for prosecutors who have now secured guilty pleas from or convicted several members of the gang, which was started decades ago on Rikers Island.
The verdict was also a vindication of sorts for the platinum-selling Mr. Hernandez, whose sensational and meteoric career made him at one point one of the most popular rappers in the country.
His unlikely cameo as a government cooperator testifying against the same gang that gave him street credibility with hip-hop fans and helped boost him to stardom provided prosecutors with a compelling narrative. But it also prompted fellow rappers and others to label him a turncoat and a fraud.
And did he ever turn his coat.
Apparently hoping for a deal with Rat-a-Lot Records, the My Little Pony-like emcee told it all. He brought video evidence. He explained how they stole his necklace. He admitted that he joined the vicious gang hoping the street cred would help his rapping career. He narced on alleged Blood members who weren’t even involved in the trial, including Cardi B, Jim Jones, Bloody Mary and even the Blood of Jesus.
And it all paid off. Joined by another federal witness, Kristian Cruz, Tekashi helped map out the structure, organization and operations of the notorious gang. Prosecutors also used maps, recorded phone calls, text messages and social media to convict the two leaders.
“Daniel Hernandez and Kristian Cruz took you inside Nine Trey,” said one of the prosecutors during closing arguments.
Ellison and Mack both face life in prison at their sentencing hearing.
Hernandez vows to forgo witness protection and says he will continue his rapping career.
The blood of Jesus says different.