The Grammy Award-winning rapper/actor was arrested in 2007 in Atlanta for possession of machine guns and silencers. The rapper was nabbed by the federal agents during a sting operation when he sent his bodyguard to buy three machine guns and two silencers from an undercover cop posing as an arms dealer.
The 28-year-old hip-hop star, whose given name is Clifford Harris, pleaded guilty last March to three charges of illegal weapons possession.
Harris originally had faced up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count when he had pleaded not guilty, but performing more than 1,000 hours of community service, including his visit to the Oak Hill Youth Center in Laurel in January, as part of his plea agreement with prosecutors, reduced his prison time. He still needs to complete 470 additional hours.
The Atlanta-born rapper also appeared on cable channel MTV's reality series “T. I’s Road to Redemption”, on which he spoke to the youth about the pitfalls of drugs, violence and guns.
As expected, the Northern Georgia District Judge Charles Pannell Jr. yesterday sentenced the rapper to 366 days in jail. Pannel said, “I’ve come to resist the lockup mentality that we often find ourselves in.”
U.S. attorney David Nahmias acknowledged Harris’ efforts in community service exceeded prosecutors' expectations, adding: “He has been able to communicate with kids in a way most of us simply can’t.”
Harris told the judge: "Everything I learned was through trial and error. I've learned lessons in my life to put in my music so people won't make the same mistakes as I."
Just moments after his sentencing, the rapper talked about his sentence at a press conference. He said: "It brings me great pleasure and honor to say to you today that I have begun to close this chapter in my life with, of course, the help and blessings of the U.S. attorneys and the courts of the U.S. government."
He continued: "I would like to thank all who have helped me throughout my journeys, along my journey, including my attorneys, all of the foundations and all of the organizations who have helped me align myself with people who see to it that I seek out my wishes and intentions to the best of my ability."
He is required to voluntarily turn himself into prison within the next 30 to 60 days.
Born on Sept. 25, 1980 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Harris Jr. is best known by the stage name T.I. A man of many talents, the performer made his acting debut in March 2006 in ATL, an American movie that was directed by Chris Robinson with a screenplay by Tina Gordon Chism.
The father of six won two Grammy Awards in 2006 for best rap solo performance and best rap/sung collaboration. Harris released his sixth album Paper Trail on Sept. 30, 2008.
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