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T.I. Pleads Guilty to Firearms Charges

By ERRIN HAINES, AP

Posted: 2008-03-28 09:23:39

ATLANTA (March 28) - Rapper T.I. has admitted having unregistered machine guns and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Now he has a chance to avoid a lengthy prison sentence by telling kids not to make the same mistakes he did.

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Chart-topping rapper T.I. will spend about a year in jail and must complete over a 1000 community service hours after pleading guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of machine guns and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, must spend at least 1,000 hours talking to youth groups about the pitfalls of guns, gangs and drugs before reporting for about a year in prison under a deal worked out Thursday.

"I'm looking forward to turning this negative time in my life into a positive," Harris, 27, told reporters after the hearing. "I know I have a long road of redemption to travel."

Dressed in a gray business suit, Harris pleaded guilty Thursday to possession of unregistered machine guns and silencers, unlawful possession of machine guns and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

He will be sentenced to serve about 12 months in prison after completing the community service, although his prison time could be increased or reduced depending on his fulfillment of the terms of the deal and good behavior, officials said.

Harris is one of rap music's most successful artists. His sixth album, "T.I. vs. T.I.P.," was released July 3, debuting at No. 1. He appeared in the 2007 film "American Gangster," which starred Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.

U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said Harris will remain "under strict bond conditions" during the next year.

He said Harris' sentencing was deferred "to allow him to perform a unique and extensive program - at least 1,000 hours - of community service. That service will focus on using his high public visibility and his talents to tell at-risk young people about the mistakes he has made and to educate them about the dangers of violence, guns, gangs and drugs."

Nahmias said under the agreement, Harris will have to serve a year in prison and three years of supervised home detention, perform a total of 1,500 hours of community service and pay a $100,000 fine.

Failure to fulfill his obligations will net Harris a "much longer prison sentence," Nahmias said.

Harris told reporters he takes the charges against him very seriously.

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The Rap Sheet

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Remy Ma, who cut her teeth as a member of Terror Squad, was convicted of assault and weapons possession for shooting a woman in the abdomen in a dispute about money in New York. She was sentenced to 8 years in prison for the offense.

"I'd like to thank God for blessing me with a second chance in life and success," he said.

He was arrested Oct. 13, just blocks away and hours before he was to headline the BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta.

Harris was charged with possession of unregistered machine guns and silencers, as well as possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He faced a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.

He was allegedly trying to buy unregistered machine guns and silencers. He initially pleaded not guilty, and has been under house arrest since he was released on $3 million bond on Oct. 26.

U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell Jr. must approve the deal.

Harris, who is co-CEO of Grand Hustle Records, grew up in Atlanta. His first taste of success came with his 2003 album, "Trap Muzik." In 2004, warrants were issued for his arrest on probation violations for a drug conviction, and he was sentenced to three years behind bars.

Associated Press Writer Harry R. Weber contributed to this story.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-03-27 09:34:33

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jayparr2 06:45:26 PM May 08 2008

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ti stay straight dude you're to valuable

Cnccrim 03:46:31 PM Mar 31 2008

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i hope he can get accross to the young people that listen to him that gun, drugs,and gangs, do not do anything but get people killed or thrown in jail.

tonythetiger8976 10:21:17 AM Mar 31 2008

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ti is the best rapper alive who cares if hes a felon i still like his music

jlwilliams22 07:09:11 PM Mar 30 2008

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Hope he learns his lesson this time.

www.JLWonline.com

hiredshoe 08:57:52 AM Mar 30 2008

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New chicken head in cell block H

mugme888 09:48:52 PM Mar 29 2008

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Thank God another hood off the streets.

tanohioman0721 09:13:46 PM Mar 29 2008

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WHO CARES???? ONCE A THUG ALWAYS A THUG

dshot59 08:17:21 PM Mar 29 2008

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possession of machine guns and silencers by an already convicted felon and he gets a year maybe? instead of 10 years on each count no wonder these a-holes think they can do what ever they want,because they are allowed to get away with this shlt time after time . community service what a fukin joke ,our justice system suks.

mystiqtours 06:15:43 PM Mar 29 2008

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I hope he just learned his lesson

crazyolman64 11:30:39 AM Mar 29 2008

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a year in jail will be just like a family reunion for him....drugs ,sex ,,,just like home.

jmforish 08:47:55 AM Mar 29 2008

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Here we go again--another affirmative action sentence. A felon with a gun--then it is a machine gun to boot. I'd say thats the start of a hate crime. Oh wait he is a good boy and only had the gun to go hunting in central park or for personal protection.
I say give him the max then if he ever gets out then let him do community service.
By the way you forgot the C its crap music not rap.

cgee53 08:27:25 AM Mar 29 2008

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just remember his song folks!!!! "you dont know me"...lol ...um but now we do!

tomscott000 08:27:23 AM Mar 29 2008

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Automatic illegal weapons? That should be listed under FEDERAL, as in BATF. He should do more time than that. Oh wait a minute, he's black, must feel sorry for him.

kcaron10127 08:02:35 AM Mar 29 2008

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purecourage 05:32:28 AM Mar 28 2008
"Why is it that when one black person does something negative they represent ALL black people."

They DON'T represent all blacks, and anyone with a brain knows it.

But The fact remains that the number of violent crimes committed by blacks is VASTLY disproportionate to their representation in the general population.

According to this FBI / Department of Justice report (2005), African Americans make up only about 13% of the US population, yet are responsible for 33% of the rapes, 49% of the murders, and 56% of the robberies in this country.

Only an utter fool would deny that this is a very serious problem.

http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/data/table_43.html

james091686 01:57:21 AM Mar 29 2008

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Ye-ye-e-yeah-yeeah. Better keep his name out yo mouth, shawty. 1500 hours of community service is no f***ing joke, but only a year behind bars is the best he could have hoped for, being a 7-time felon in posession of machines guns and silencers. I can't wait. The album he drops after he gets out this time is going to be ridiculous.

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