The first defendant in the Tekashi 6ix9ine case has been sentenced to five years in prison. Jesnel “Ish” Butler was sentenced on Thursday morning.
According to Complex, “He admitted to his role in the April 3, 2018, armed robbery in the lobby of the Times Square building that houses ThisIs50.” The robbery was reportedly filmed by 6ix9ine in the backseat of a nearby car. Evidence was later found in an apartment the rapper was renting.
In addition to being sentenced to 60 months behind bars, Butler will have three years of supervised release. Complex reports that his sentence was the “mandatory minimum—the lowest possible he could get, given his plea.”
Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Longyear stated in court that Butler was at the “lower end of culpability.” His role in the case was being the driver at the time of the robbery. He was also present during multiple other Nine Trey-related violent crimes.
Butler stated in court,
“I knew my actions and being around the people I was around could cause harm to people, and I deeply apologize,” he said. He spoke of his children: “When I serve my time, I am going to make a difference in their lives. I apologize for everything.”
Tekashi 6ix9ine’s former bodyguard Faheem “Crippy” Walter is the next defendant in the case to be sentenced. His sentencing will occur on August 14. Two defendants, Aljermiah “Nuke” Mack and Anthony “Harv” Ellison, have not yet pleaded guilty. Their trial is scheduled for September 9.
Tekashi 6ix9ine, born Daniel Hernandez, is scheduled to go to trial September 4.
