Unexpected Prison Encounter

Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine recently shared a rather surprising story from his time in federal prison. He proudly mentioned that he managed to get Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro to sign a SpongeBob doll for him while they were both incarcerated.

The 29-year-old artist was released from Brooklyn’s notorious Metropolitan Detention Center early Friday. He celebrated by showcasing a stash of gold coins alongside someone named John Hancock, who claims to represent Maduro.

A video posted on Tekashi’s Instagram shows him with a stack of papers in one hand and the Nickelodeon toy in the other, a symbol of his newfound freedom after serving time.

“Look at this,” he exclaimed to friends, revealing the signature. “Maduro, April 2nd, forever Venezuela.”

Maduro has been in custody at the MDC since his capture by U.S. forces in Caracas earlier this year. Tekashi, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, had been incarcerated for violating probation terms when he assaulted someone and concealed MDMA and cocaine in his apartment.

Initially imprisoned in 2019 due to his association with the violent Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods gang, he was released early because of COVID-19 concerns.

Both Tekashi’s legal representative and the Bureau of Prisons confirmed his release early Friday morning. Upon his freedom, he received a hefty 400-carat chain, which reportedly weighs over 4 pounds and is valued at more than $2 million, according to a report.

In an Instagram post, he stated, “I have $2.2 million on my neck from the federal police. God is the best, my Lord and Savior,” and humorously added, “Maduro signed my prison sponge nine.”

For years, federal prisons have maintained records of a variety of inmates, including notorious individuals like Diddy, R. Kelly, and Ghislaine Maxwell, along with the Madurros, who face charges related to drug trafficking.