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Rapper T.I. Enters Guilty Plea to Federal Gun Charges

March 27th, 2008 · 42 Comments


Reported By: Morse Diggs

ATLANTA (FOX 5) – Rapper T.I. agreed to possible jail time in a plea deal on weapons charges Thursday.  The hip hop star was caught in a sting when a bodyguard delivered $12,000 worth of machine guns.

The U.S. Attorney called the rapper’s plea deal unique and the government prepared to settle for a relatively small amount of jail time in return for T.I.’s pledge to use his celebrity status to aid young people.

Video: Rapper T.I. Enters Guilty Plea to Federal Gun Charges
FOX 5’s Morse Diggs Reports

T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, appeared relieved after the U.S. attorney signed off on the plea deal crafted by defense attorneys.

The 27-year-old rapper was not allowed to own guns due to a previous drug conviction, but in a federal courtroom, authorities detailed how Harris ordered his security guard to purchase thousands of dollars in machine guns and silencers.

Agents eavesdropped on Harris’ conversations after they gained bodyguard’s cooperation.

Agents went to Harris’ College Park home and recovered six guns, including two rifles and boxes of ammunition.

For admitting a total of three felonies, Harris will have to perform 1,000 hours of community service.  Upon completion of the community service, the government will recommend that Harris serve one year and one day in jail and pay a $100,000 fine.

Harris’ sentencing date is set for one year from Thursday and until then, Harris will have a curfew and be monitored by authorities.

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Tags: Entertainment - Gossip

42 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Zaporah // Mar 28, 2008 at 2:10 pm

    T.I. could have a positive impact upon black youth who consider him someone to be admired. I wish more black artists and athletes would serve as role models to black youth. Its better for T.I. to do this than sit in prison and waste the taxpayers money.

  • 2 Denise // Apr 5, 2008 at 3:40 pm

    I need to lessen his charger, because he aimed that he did the crime.

  • 3 Cory Crabb // Aug 3, 2008 at 2:12 pm

    Another eye opener for the Rap community and Fans.
    This is the reality and real life stuff that goes behind the walls. Fortunately Money and Fame and skills will be the turning point and so he won’t lose his life completely…

    http://www.mk2success.com

  • 4 Mas As hell // Sep 4, 2008 at 10:17 am

    Man my cousin doin 15-30 in a kentucky prison and he got the same charge. WTF this isnt fair. F**k the law. and all my cousin had was a pistol and a rew drugs. they both felons they deserve the same sentence

  • 5 Anonymous // Sep 19, 2008 at 1:04 am

    the more money the more power…simple as that

  • 6 T.i.P.'s Biggest Fan // Dec 4, 2008 at 12:10 pm

    T.i.P. has been a role model as far as ii can see. He made a mistake(as all of us do), yes he might get jail time but he’s TIP, so get over it!! And yall say he aint no role model?? Yall crazy real talk breh, becasue all Tip’s sond that are saying don.t get punked out really means something!! So for all the ones saying he aint no role model, from me and TIP…..kick rocks!! TIP

  • 7 Eddy // Jan 17, 2009 at 2:50 am

    thats messed up how his out bodyguard ratted on him. people gotta stop snitchin. and besides, I’m pretty sure T.I. was just using the guns 4 protection. people dont realize that when you’re a rich celebrity, people are gonna be after u. I’m a big fan of T.I. and I wish him the best

  • 8 Ohio Mike // Jan 26, 2009 at 5:00 am

    It’s obvious that TI isn’t going to get the same treatment as someone like you or I. Fair??? No, not at all. I am a major fan of his but it is still not right for him to get off with a pat on the butt. Felons with guns probably not. Felons with mulitple machine guns and silencers? Holy hell!!! If your protecting yourself since when do you need to be quite about it?

  • 9 PALMBEACHCOUNTY // Jan 26, 2009 at 11:08 am

    WTF IS DEY DOING! TI IS MA FAVORITE RAPPER. DAMN MAN IT’S GON KILL ME IF DEY DO DAT TO HIM,IM GLAD HE’S ONLY DOING A YEAR.DISS MAN GOT KIDS. I HOPE TI CHANGE HIS LIFE SO HE DONT HAVE TO LEAVE US TO NO GOOD MUSIQ.I CANT WAIT TO SEE HIS NEW SHOW ON BET TO SEE WAT’S REALLY UP BECAUSE IT’S ALOT OF RUMORS.OH I HEAR TI HAD BEEF WITH GUCCI MAINE IS THAT TRUE ANYBODY KNO ABOUT THAT IF U DO LET ME KNO.

  • 10 Patrick // Jan 27, 2009 at 2:00 am

    This is ridiculous! There should be not be any circumstances in which the inherent rights given to us by the constitution are taken away!! It is an outrage that anyone should go to jail because they are exercising their constitutional right to bear arms. TI hang in there - I really don’t like your music but I want you to have the right to make it just as much as I want you to have the right to have weapons. If we don’t stand up for the unpopular rights that our forefathers fought so hard to protect then we are destined to lose the ones we cherish most. In other words if TI can’t have guns then every writer, singer, priest, and politician can’t have whatever they like.

  • 11 C // Jan 28, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    Okay first of all, yes TI has some great music. But hello he is a felon, felons can’t have guns. People say, “Oh its to protect himself”!! THATS WHY HE HIRED BODY GUARDS! He broke the law. And with breaking the law comes consequences to every individual in the U.S. Just because he is famous doesn’t mean that is why they are going easy on him. Anyone else who has gotten that same charge may have to do more time but do you really think that they have to pay 100,000 dollar fine? No because they can’t afford that. Every writer, singer, priest and politician aren’t all felons! Nobody is taking his rights away, he chose to have his right taken away when he was in possession of drugs, remember he made that choice and now he is paying for it. So spare me all the its not fair crap. You all need to grow up and worry about your own damn lives. Oh and PALMBEACHCOUNTY maybe you should stop worrying about the rap industry and go back to school because obviously hooked on phonics did no justice in your case.!

  • 12 Another Star gets off easy // Jan 30, 2009 at 7:05 am

    What can you say, another famous “rich” star got off easy. Sure he plead guilty, why wouldnt he, that got the evidence and him on the phone talking. A real “G”? sure whatever, not a smart one at least, another poser, who definitely has talent—SURE. What do you expect these days when celebs do what they want and get off with a slap on dee azz. Community service?…Sh** isnt he publicizing this, as “him” reaching out to others, all part of the show–and MORE publicity.. I see this as him getting more popular, when he gets out. OOO TI is an ex-con…OOOoo Ill buy his Music.

  • 13 Me // Jan 31, 2009 at 6:54 am

    TI is my fovorite. He taught me important messages in life like how to say:

    TI iz dah kool muziqs, ah hope yoo guyz tellz me uhbout if he haz beef wit gucci. Why i kno how to spel gucci but not musiq??? Why dey not teach me how 2 spell?? Dam dood im stoopid. TI 4 lyfe!!!!111112

  • 14 the king // Jan 31, 2009 at 10:10 pm

    wtf he shouldnt go to jail

    mas as hell fuck you

    t.i does not hve to go to jail

    zo bye im out

  • 15 moe // Jan 31, 2009 at 11:35 pm

    ti is only a person with guns whats up with that cops got guns

  • 16 107hoovercripgang // Jan 31, 2009 at 11:40 pm

    Zaporah dumb fucc u dxnt knx what yxu are talkink abxut cuz its nxt just blacc yxuthes. that kind xf pisses me xff yxu racist bitch.

    “”"Zaporah // Mar 28, 2008 at 2:10 pm

    T.I. could have a positive impact upon black youth who consider him someone to be admired. I wish more black artists and athletes would serve as role models to black youth. Its better for T.I. to do this than sit in prison and waste the taxpayers money.”"”"

    “bxth blacc and white are smxking cracc txnight
    -Tupac Shakur”

    mexicans have there gangs gxin. (sur 13, norte 14, brxwn pride etc.)

    white supremecy and white kids in Crips, Blxxds, believe it xr nxt. sur 13.

    salvadorian (MS 13) a really bad gang wxrst than any BLACC gang.

    Asians.
    indians
    pakis

    rainbxw. pink. green. all them pexple.

    i hxpe he helps all the kids that need help.

  • 17 moe // Jan 31, 2009 at 11:45 pm

    ti has guns great has he commited murder,was he plannin to kill his mom. no i love tis music and if hes done in a yr like they say then i do suggest he try not to do somethin stupid,or hire another bodyguard. wat tha body gaurd did waz a quick way to get killed( dumb ass )

  • 18 anonymous // Feb 1, 2009 at 12:08 am

    do you people think he is the only one with these weapons, he just got caught their everywhere

  • 19 Mike // Feb 3, 2009 at 10:38 pm

    “”There’ll be no clemency you will meet the lord snitchin givin us a century”" -obie trice

  • 20 josh // Feb 4, 2009 at 10:13 pm

    i think its bull crap had he been white he proably wouldve got off but theres the law for you anyways people make mistakes and theres been celebertys who have gotten away with way worse crap so thats my opinion but what evas

  • 21 Yo know ti is my favorite rapper all over da mi ss i and we all love him here and god will sovle all of his problems, stay up cliff. // Feb 5, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    Na

  • 22 marisa // Feb 6, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    FREEEEEEEEEEEE T I i love him we share the same b-day he is so smart maybe not for what he have done but we all have to admit he’s a genious, he’s just trying to protect his family, there are a lot of haters that want to see him go down. i don’t think that jail time is the answer, he don’t belong in that hell hole. please free my baby. T I i love you

  • 23 CALI // Feb 7, 2009 at 12:46 am

    Listen to this!!! It’s a set up! I know for a fact! read between the lines. I hate when they see people helping others and being sucessful in life! Tip holla at your Folkers from the Bay Area we support you 100. Now run and tell that! Beyotch!!! T I We got you!

  • 24 Mike Frey // Feb 9, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    How about he helps out white youth. or just youth in general, dont make this a white and black issue becuase white people will win as always

  • 25 whyte boy // Feb 9, 2009 at 10:36 pm

    I love t.i.’s music. but it is fucked up that he is only gettin a year. just cause he got money and yall need to stop all that damn black people this black people that shit.. that’s so much bull shit..

  • 26 Joe Besh // Feb 13, 2009 at 4:12 am

    This shit wack. They should lock his ass up and throw away the key. I dont give a dam if he’s famous, he could be the f#@k*&g president of the united states and his ass still should be locked up. It’s sick that money and power makes a difference in a “just” judicial system. One of you says the mfer got kids, you know how many homies locked up on same charges with kids. Sckrew T.I. Be a man, do the time, you aint no role model

  • 27 Joe Besh // Feb 13, 2009 at 4:15 am

    And as far as a black and white issue. That shit has no president in this situation. Look at martha stuart, that bitch as white as chalk and she still got locked up.

  • 28 Anonymous // Feb 13, 2009 at 5:55 pm

    yal are all stupid who gives a fuck get a life

  • 29 Anonymous // Feb 14, 2009 at 11:25 pm

    It’s money…he makes money in a weak economy, and he has an ability to positively affect many communities. I’m glad they did this, his “Road to Redemption” seems to be real good, and making some real impacts on young people. As well, your cousin doesn’t have that influence…it is bull-s for him though

  • 30 Anonymous // Feb 15, 2009 at 12:20 am

    role models, as leaders, are made not born, anyone can be one at some time or another in life….we should all try, maybe we would better our world instead of contributing to the extinction of humans as a species….not having more than 2 kids per couple would help too (especially not 8…catholics think they doing God’s will by destroying our planet and creation with overpopulating this place = over consumption = finite(not infinite) resources being depleted = human and global extinction greated than that of the C-T coundary = people, we are dying right now!)

  • 31 Abigail // Feb 15, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    T.I. committed a crime that can get him up to 30 years in prison. Just because he is a rapper does not mean he can get off with nothing. He needs to be treated like any other U.S. citizen and serve his time instead of trying to suck up to the judge by doing 1000 hours community service. I understand he pleaded guilty but he is not owning up to what he did. He already had previous drug charges and he does need to serve his time and stop trying to look good to the judge.

  • 32 scrills // Feb 16, 2009 at 3:27 am

    All i have to say is he is a dumb as nig. i wish he got more, and anyone who says that he deserves less you are retarded

  • 33 b // Feb 18, 2009 at 4:18 pm

    the 2nd amendment which states that american citizens are allowed to own and carry firearms is being interpreted to largely. this amendment was activated back when the british were attacking and it was only ment for the militias and soldiers. now-a-days, when this sort of thing happens, the criminals should receive many more hours than 1, especially rapstars. the average joe would receive 30 years as opposed to t.i who has community service and 1 year. community service is something everyone should do, so that is not consider a punishment to me. but the jail time is what it all comes down to, and 30 to 1 is a big difference. t.i is an american citizen like the rest of us and should be treated and punished the same as us too!!!

  • 34 drew // Feb 19, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    this is crap at its peak, my brother is in Alaska while im in texas. He is serving 23 years. at age 22 he wont be out till 45, hanging out with my brother will never be the same. i ride motocross and he will never get to see me do something i have loved my whole life. he had 1 9 mill and an ak-47 . I think TI should be in the same place

  • 35 dillenger81 // Feb 26, 2009 at 6:32 am

    Yo listen ppl I sat here n read all of you’re comments and this is da truth right here ti is a great artist no doubt and also my favorite but 2 b honest if I got caugt with $12000 dollars worth of guns n silencers even if I pleaded guilty and I’m a convicted felon I would get at least 15yrs he got off lucky. Ok big deal ti helps da community n gives hope 2 ppl n many ways so just forget if its right or wrong that he only got 1yr u can’t change it just don’t get caught yourself cause just like camron said at da end of da movie paid n full ti still gonna b da king when he get out end of story fools….

  • 36 swankeej // Mar 3, 2009 at 9:10 am

    love yah ti forever

  • 37 b.ig.3456 // Mar 23, 2009 at 4:10 pm

    fuck the court .p.s. the judje can suck my dick

  • 38 alex // Apr 1, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    its all fine and good that he wants a gun for protection but really, multiple machine guns and silencers. at most he would need a pistol. there is no excuse for having all of that. he should not get unfair treatment either. i am all for the second amendment but he deserves the same punishment as others if not more considering he is a celebrity. by him having less of a punishment its just saying that if you have money and are popular you can pretty much get away with anything.

  • 39 Anonymous // Apr 1, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    All of you need to learn to speak proper English and stop watching so much damn MTV.

  • 40 ki // Apr 3, 2009 at 10:18 am

    damn

  • 41 V // Apr 30, 2009 at 1:03 am

    $12,000 worth of machine guns, not in jail to use his celebrity status to aid young people. Are my eyes not working, or the world has gotten completely insane? Aid young people? What kind of role model is this guy?

  • 42 Getting It In Motherfuckers // Jun 6, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    All you bitches who got shit to say about T.I can suck on a log and fuck your mothers. T.I did what he did get the fuck over it. He spending time in jail for it. Don’t blame him because his time is less than what you think it should be. If somebody cared about what the fuck you had to say they would be paying your dumb ass. Otherwise shut the fuck up to all of you haters. Just remember bitches haters make us famous. T.I the best and you bitches out there ain’t shit but a pile of shit .

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