T.I. Will Get Jail Sentence in Weapons Rap

Community service first for rapper, who faces year behind bars

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 27, 2008 4:32 PM CDT

(Newser) – Rapper T.I.—aka Clifford Harris—pleaded guilty today in Atlanta to weapons charges, the AP reports. Harris will have to spend about a year in jail but must complete 1,500 hours of community service first; he also faces three years' house arrest and a $100,000 fine. Addressing youth groups on the dangers of guns, drugs, and gangs will be his first stop.

T.I. could see his sentenced reduced, depending on how the community service talks go and his behavior once inside. “I'd like to thank God for blessing me with a second chance in life and success," he told reporters after the hearing. He was charged with owning unregistered machine guns and silencers, and possessing weapons as a convicted felon.

[Images (7)]

[Videos (1)]

Rapper T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, is hugged by fan Marquita McKennedy, 23, as he leaves the Federal Courthouse after being released on $3 million bond, Friday, Oct 26, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Rapper T.I. performs onstage during MTV's "Total Request Live" at the MTV Times Square Studios in this Monday, July 2, 2007. file photo in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, File)

T.I. arrives at the 2007 pre-BET Awards dinner and party in Los Angeles in this June 25, 2007, file photo. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, file)

Rapper T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, is greeted by a horde of fans as he leaves the Federal Courthouse after being released on $3 million bond, Friday, Oct 26, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Pictured in this artist rendering is Rapper T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, second from right. (AP Photo) (AP Photo)

Rapper T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, leaves the Richard B. Russell Federal Courthouse in Atlanta, Thursday, March 27, 2008. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Rapper T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, speaks to reporters outside the Richard B. Russell Federal Courthouse in Atlanta, Thursday, March 27, 2008. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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T.I. Will Get Jail Sentence in Weapons Rap