Nicolas Maduro’s well-known jail cellmates – from Luigi Mangione to El Mayo
Former Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro might be joining a very different court these days, as rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine jokes that Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center boasts the “best basketball team”
Former Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro might be joining a very different court these days. An infamous rapper has claimed that it’s nothing but net at Brooklyn’s notorious Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), where cellblocks boast all-stars like Luigi Mangione, P.Diddy, and R. Kelly once shared the court.
Taking to his Instagram page, rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine, born Daniel Hernandez, about his return to the facility, where he already served time and once shared the harsh concrete with former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández.
Now that the Gooba hitmaker is set to begin a three-month sentence in the MDC over multiple violations of his supervised release, 6ix9ine quipped: “Yo guys, remember when I told you that I was arrested, I was in prison with Diddy, the president of Honduras, and Sam Beck Freeman, I believe, the FTX guy?”
He continued: “Now I’m about to meet the president of Venezuela.” The rapper went on to joke about his “luck” to “always” being locked up with presidents.
Maduro might run into 6ix9ine to create, according to the music star, “the best basketball team ever in prison”. Nevertheless, there are other potential prisonmates who share infamy at the MDC.
High-profiles currently serving sentences at MDC
Luigi Mangione: Mangione is currently awaiting trial and has been held since late 2024. He is accused of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The 26-year-old is facing state second-degree murder charges (15 years to life) and federal murder charges where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia: The co-founder of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel is currently awaiting trial. He is facing charges for drug trafficking, money laundering, and murder.
Recent transfers and releases from MDC
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: The disgraced producer and rapper has been held at MDC since September 2024. He is convicted of transporting individuals for prostitution.
Diddy was sentenced in October 2025 to 50 months (just over four years) in federal prison. The music mogul was recently transferred to FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey.
Juan Orlando Hernandez: The former President of Honduras, was sentenced to 45 years in 2024, but was pardoned and released by US President Donald Trump in December 2025.
Sam Bankman-Fried: The founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX was previously held at MDC. He is now serving a 25-year sentence for fraud at a different federal facility.
Ghislaine Maxwell: Previously held at MDC, the disgraced socialite is now serving a 20-year sentence at a low-security prison in Florida.
Former high-profiles who served sentences at MDC
R. Kelly: Born Robert Sylvester Kelly, the R&B star was held at MDC during his 2021 trial. He is currently serving his sentence at a different federal facility.
The singer is serving a combined 31-year sentence in North Carolina after being convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking.
Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman: The Mexican drug kingpin was held briefly at MDC Brooklyn during his 2018–2019 trial before being transferred to ADX Florence for a life sentence.
Martin Shkreli: The “Pharma Bro” was convicted of securities fraud in 2017. He served a seven-year sentence and was released in 2022.
Michael Cohen: Trump’s former personal lawyer was held briefly at MDC in 2020 for violating conditions of his home confinement.
Al Sharpton: The Baptist minister and activist served a 90-day sentence in 2001 for trespassing during a military exercise protest.
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