Tekashi 6ix9ine’s driver has confessed to cooperating with the feds.
Day four of the Tekashi 6ix9ine case began Monday after three lengthy days of the rapper’s testimony was heard last week. The trial took a break Thursday and resumed today as Tekashi’s driver Jorge Rivera took the stand. Rivera was present when Tekashi was allegedly kidnapped last year by the two men on trial, Nine Trey Blood Gang members Anthony “Harv” Ellison and Aljermiah “Nuke” Mack. Before describing the incident that resulted in the rapper’s being beaten and robbed, Rivera revealed that he was cooperating with the feds before it all went down.
According to Inner City Press reporter Matthew Russell Lee — who has been live-tweeting the trial since it began Sept. 16 — Rivera, who spoke in Spanish, revealed that he was detained by ICE and was offered a deal from law enforcement to cooperate in the investigation against Tekashi, born Daniel Hernandez. Once released from ICE, prosecutors asked was there a camera installed in his vehicle. Rivera later explained he already had one camera on the dashboard from his driving service. The camera in the back of the truck caught Tekashi’s kidnapping on film along with audio of the rapper’s attempt to plead with Harv and the other men involved.
AUSA: Mr. Rivera, I want to switch gears now. What is your immigration status? Did they come a time you were arrested by ICE?
Rivera: Yes
Q: While you were detained, did you speak with law enforcement about cooperating?
A: Yes.— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) September 23, 2019
AUSA: Mr. Rivera, when you were released, did you start driving for Mr. Hernandez again?
A: Yes.
Q: As a confidential informant?
Judge Engelmayer to the jury: why don't you stretch you legs while we're taking a brief break.— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) September 23, 2019
After sidebar, AUSA: "Mr Rivera, on July 22, 2018, was there a camera installed in that Chevrolet Tahoe?
A: Yes.
Q Was it recording?
A: Yes.
Again, Exhibit 604: https://t.co/9EXqlr6suH— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) September 23, 2019
AUSA: Mr. Rivera, did you have two cameras installed in the car?
A: Yes. One is always pointed ahead. Remember, I used to work for a car service. My customers, they were always recorded.— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) September 23, 2019
This revelation is the latest of many after last week’s testimony from the “FEFE” rapper. In an attempt to earn an early release on time served, 6ix9ine gave prosecutors information on the inner workings of the Nine Treys, which included name-dropping other alleged celebrity gang members like Cardi B, Jim Jones, Trippie Redd, and Casanova.
Rivera also said that “towards the end” he felt as though Tekashi knew he was cooperating with the feds. The trial is set to continue.
AUSA: Mr Rivera, what is it your understanding the government will do in exchange for your cooperation?
Rivera: They'll give me a letter, saying all the good as well as the bad things, that I have done.Note: So #6ix9ine's driver Jorge Rivera gets 5K1 letter too
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) September 23, 2019
Cannick: Did you ever advise Tekashi that you were cooperating with law enforcement?
Rivera: No.
Cannick: Did you ever come to believe that Tekashi suspected you of cooperating.
Rivera: Yes, toward the end.
The end (to be continued after some coverage of #UNGA)— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) September 23, 2019
