On Sept. 17, 2019, Tekashi 6ix9ine took the stand in federal court and testified against his former gang, the Nine Trey Bloods. His sentencing took place on Wednesday, Dec. 18, in which he was given only two years, after initially looking at 37 years. Because he had already been in a federal jail for 13 months, those months counted towards his two-year sentence.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still an ongoing threat, Tekashi's defense team claimed that the rapper could not stay at the private facility he was being held in. Although the exact prison he was being held in remains unknown for security reasons, it came to light that other inmates at the facility had shown symptoms of COVID-19 and tested positive for the virus.

Because Tekashi suffers from chronic asthma, he is considered higher risk for complications if he were to contract the novel coronavirus. At the moment, he has not shown any symptoms of having it and have not been tested for it. Initially, his request to have his sentence changed because of his health was declined by the Bureau of Prisons. However, when the bureau declined, the district court was allowed to act. U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer agreed to alter the sentence.

"It is readily apparent — and the Court here finds — that the circumstances presented here are extraordinary and compelling so as to justify compassionate release in Mr. Hernandez’s case," Judge Engelmayer determined. 

"The COVID-19 pandemic is extraordinary and unprecedented in modern times in this nation. It presents a clear and present danger to free society for reasons that need no elaboration. COVID-19 presents a heightened risk for incarcerated defendants like Mr. Hernandez with respiratory ailments such as asthma."

Tekashi will remain on house arrest for the remainder of his sentence, although where exactly he will be spending that time is unknown.