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SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 8 – Daniel Hernandez a/k/a Tekashi 6ix9ine was sentenced to 24 months of total imprisonment in a proceeding live tweeted by Inner City Press before U.S. District Court Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.

 In November 2021 Hernandez' co-defendant and car-jacker Anthony Ellison a/k/a Harv, already serving a long sentence, was indicted again for a smuggle conspiracy while in the Metropolitan Correctional Center. The prosecutors on November 4 announced: unsealing of an indictment charging three current or former Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) employees, as well as eight former inmates of the Metropolitan Correctional Center (“MCC”), of conspiring to smuggle contraband such as drugs, alcohol, and cellphones to inmates at the MCC. Two of the BOP employees were also charged with obstructing justice.  Four of the defendants were arrested today and will be presented before Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave later today. During the course of the scheme, in an effort to obtain a lesser sentence for ELLISON, GRIFFITH-MCKNIGHT submitted a letter to the District Judge responsible for sentencing inmate and co-defendant ELLISON that falsely described ELLISON as a “model inmate” even though at the time GRIFFITH-MCKNIGHT was smuggling contraband to ELLISON and therefore knew he was anything but a “model inmate.”  Relying on this letter from GRIFFITH-MCKNIGHT, the District Judge who presided over ELLISON’s sentencing remarked that ELLISON’s purported good behavior in prison was “impressive” and that “[u]nless this is some sort of Grisham novel, and people are all corrupt and making all of this up about [ELLISON], it seems to me that it’s unavoidable that [ELLISON’s] trajectory at the MCC contains a lot of good.”

Inner City Press went to the detention of release hearings of Griffith-McKnight, lead defendant Perry Joyner and another inmate, Valerio, and live tweeted it here and here (podcast here)

On February 24, co defendant Tyrell Sumpter was presented, pled not-guilty and was detained: "Initial Appearance as to Tyrell Sumpter held on 2/24/2022. Arraignment as to Tyrell Sumpter (7) Count 1,2,3 held on 2/24/2022. AUSA Aline Flodr for the Government. Lisa Scolari for the Defendant. BAIL DISPOSITION: DETENTION ON CONSENT W/O PREJUDICE. Defendant advised by the Court of the right to be present, and consented to proceed by remote means. DEF. ARRAIGNED; PLEADS NOT GUILTY."

On July 7, 2022, co-defendant Donnell Murray pleaded guilty: "Change of Plea Hearing as to Donnell Murray held on 7/7/2022. AUSA Jonathan Rebold for the Government. Defendant Donnell Murray appears with attorney, Peter Brill. Defendant sworn and advised of his rights. Defendant withdraws his previously entered plea of not guilty and enters a plea of GUILTY to Count 2 of the Indictment. Plea ACCEPTED. Sentencing set for 10/11/22 at 3:30 p.m. Defendant remains in custody."

On May 18, Valerio pled guilty: "Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr: Change of Plea Hearing as to David Valerio held on 5/18/2022. AUSA Jonathan Rebold and AUSA Daniel Wolf for the Government. The Defendant appears with attorney, Benjamin Silverman. Defendant sworn and advised of his rights. Defendant withdraws his previously entered plea of not guilty and enters a plea of GUILTY to Count 2 of the Indictment. Plea ACCEPTED. Sentencing set for 8/18/22 at 2 p.m. Defendant remains in custody."

Previously: OK- detention hearing on David Valerio, US says he admitted wiring money to MCC prson guard to not search his cell

AUSA says Valerio admitted wiring to also indicted guard Mario Felciano. Magistrate Judge Cave says he will be detained OK- hearing on Corrections Officer Perry Joyner for allegedly bringing in contraband to the Metropolitan Correctional Center

Unlike briber Vslerio, detained, US is agreeing to release (ex) guard Joyner on $300,000 bond, no contact with nemed individuals. His mother is a C.O. as well. He is hiring a private lawyer.

 Next up, the defendant Inner City Press focused on earlier today: "trying for a lesser sentence for [Harv] ELLISON, GRIFFITH-MCKNIGHT submitted a letter to the District Judge describing ELLISON as a “model inmate” even though she was smuggling contraband to him"

All counsel disappeared into Mag Court chambers. After a time, they returned. Judge said it was just to save time...

 DOJ is agreeing to release this ex guard, unlike Harv Ellison and Valerio, on $150,000 bond.

  In mid-December, incarcerated Ellison appeared before SDNY Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein and pleaded not guilty. His CJA counsel asked for a medical order, under seal. A next proceeding was set: January 5 before Judge Carter. Watch this site.

  Here's a photo of Griffith-McKnight's letter to Judge Engelmayer. This new case has been assigned to Judge Andrew L. Carter.

6ix9ine was ordered released by an Order that at the US' request Judge Engelmayer withheld until 4 pm on April 2, analyzed on Patreon here, 2-minute podcast here.

 The case is US v. Joyner, et al., 21-cr-673, (Carter). More on Patreon here.

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