UPDATED: 2019/02/01

Tekashi 6ix9ine has pleaded guilty to nine charges stemming from his role in a violent drug-trafficking gang in New York.

The 22-year-old rapper and Instagram sensation was initially indicted in November 2018 and was facing the possibility of life in prison. He entered the plea on January 23rd, pleading guilty to charges including multiple counts of racketeering, conspiracy, firearms offenses and narcotics trafficking. It is unclear how this affects his sentencing.

The rapper admitted in court that he was a member of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods and said that he helped other gang members rob people at gunpoint and, in one case, admitted to paying a person to shoot at a rival in an attempt to scare him.

Federal documents were unsealed this week and, according to the files, Tekashi 6ix9ine was involved in dealing heroin, fentanyl, ecstasy, amphetamines and marijuana. The conspiracy charges consisted of multiple acts of murder, robbery and extortion.

If 6ix9ine cooperates with the authorities, the federal government has agreed to write to the judge and seek leniency on his behalf.