Tekashi69, the rainbow-haired rapper turned government cooperator, was granted early release from prison after a federal judge determined that he faced an elevated risk of severe medical problems if he were to contract COVID-19 disease behind bars. The 23-year Brooklyn-born artist, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, suffers from severe asthma. In granting Hernandez’s release on compassionate grounds, U.S. District Court Judge Paul Engelmayer determined that the circumstances in the case were “extraordinary and compelling.”
“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,” Engelmayer wrote in his order. “COVID-19 presents a heightened risk for incarcerated defendants like Mr. Hernandez with respiratory ailments such as asthma.” Lawyers for the platinum-selling artist first raised concerns that Tekashi69 was at high-risk of serious health complications or death in a series of letters to Engelmayer over the last two weeks. Federal prosecutors in New York initially contested an early release on procedural grounds, but told Engelmayer in a letter on Wednesday that they no longer opposed it.
