What Are The Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods? New Details About The Violent Gang Associated With Tekashi 6ix9ine
Tekashi 6ix9ine was arrested Monday.
Instagram Tekashi 6ix9ine faces life in prison for racketeering and other violent crimes and is a member of the NYC street gang Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, prosecutors say.
The 22-year-old rapper, who was arrested on Nov. 18 on racketeering and firearm charges, must serve a mandatory minimum of 32 years behind bars — and faces life in prison.
“[6ix9ine] is a member of a violent sect of the Bloods,” said Assistant US Attorney Michael Longyear. “This defendant participated in multiple acts of violence.”
The Blast reported that 6ix9ine, real name Daniel Hernandez, was denied bail because the judge believes the rapper is dangerous and “would still be able to direct acts of violence by telephone.” Even home confinement is too risky as there is no way to track his cellular activity, according to the judge, so the rapper will remain behind bars for now.
He is being held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center and faces life in prison.
RELATED: What Is Racketeering? Disturbing New Details About Why Tekashi 6ix9ine Was Arrested
Tekashi 6ix9ine was reportedly warned by the feds that his fellow street crew members "wanted to violate him," aka shoot him, just days prior to his arrest, Longyear said, adding that the "Fefe" lyricist refused protection.
So what are the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, the gang 6ix9ine is allegedly a part of?
The Nine Trey Gangsters, also referred to as TreyWay or "Billies," is a sect of the notorious Los Angeles United Blood Nation (UBN) gang, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The group was founded in 1993 at the Rikers Island Correctional Facility, though its parent gang, The Bloods, began in the 1970s in LA.
Although The Bloods are in many locations across the country, each gang maintains common themes, like tattoos, language, and rules. Every regional Blood set relies on the color red and has the same rival — The Crips, which are known for the color blue.
The Nine Trey Gangsters established a headquarters in Virginia, but have spread up and down the East Coast. over the years. The gang maintains a hierarchy of power, with heads in New York appointing the leaders of the different sects. The founder of each sect is called a Godfather, and other titles include “High Stain,” “Low Stain,” “Original Gangsta," “Double OG,” “Triple OG,” and "Generals," who are ranked from one to five stars, according to importance.
Court documents state the Nine Treys must follow 31 rules specific to the Bloods, known as "The 31," which were written by the founders of the Bloods. Gang members are also required to know the gang's history in detail and must recite lines from the "Book of Knowledge" on command. Each member is expected to pay monthly dues of $31 or $93.
Tattoos widely used by the Nine Trey gangsters include a three-circle pattern known as a “dog paw," which is usually burned onto the upper arm; the acronym “M.O.B.,” which stands for “Member of Bloods”; the words “damu,” or “eastside”; the number five; the five-pointed star; and the five-pointed crown.
The Trey Nine Gangsters have been known to commit crimes involving drugs, robberies, murder, wire fraud, and other forms of illegal racketeering activities. Surveillance video placed Tekashi 6ix9ine at the scene of multiple crimes reportedly committed by the NY gang, including an April 21 shooting in Brooklyn that was allegedly orchestrated by the rapper.
Sarah Gangraw writes about all things news, entertainment and crime. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.