T.I. Pleads Guilty On Weapons Charges For One Year In Jail

As Remy Ma was hearing her unfortunate verdict in Manhattan on Thursday (March 27), T.I. was copping a plea in his federal weapons case, which will send him to prison for a year.

According to the Associated Press, sources familiar with the rapper's case said he would sentenced to 1,500 hours of community service, which he would serve by talking to youth groups around the U.S., followed by about 12 months behind bars. These terms will have to be signed off by U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell Jr. first, however.

His prison time could be increased or reduced, depending on his fulfillment of the terms of the deal and good behavior, officials said, confirming that he'd most likely be sentenced to about 12 months.

In a post plea press conference held Thursday afternoon, the rapper's lawyer revealed that T.I.'s sentencing will be deferred for a year, so he may serve at least 1,000 hours of community service, where he will speak to youth groups across the country about the mistakes he's made in life and how they can be turned around.

In a statement given to the press, T.I. (real name: Clifford Harris) admitted to being guilty and is looking forward to putting the case behind him.

"I'm grateful that the court and the government has given me a chance, as a part of my sentence, to help kids live safe, be productive, and avoid making the same mistakes I've made. I realize, completely, that I violated the law and I accept that I must be punished. I take it very seriously," he said.

"The most important thing to me is that I can turn this negative thing in my life into a positive. While I am not looking forward to being incarcerated, I am looking forward to putting this whole ordeal behind me. I realize that I have a very long road of redemption to travel and I intend to do just that," T.I. continued, as he closed out his statement.

T.I. was arrested last October in Atlanta after he was caught trying to purchase machine guns and silencers during a sting operation.

The bodyguard, who cooperated with police in setting up the rapper, claimed the rapper gave him cash to purchase guns in the past, because T.I., as a convicted felon, was not able to legally buy firearms.

He faced a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. T.I. initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, and has been under house arrest since his release on $3 million bond on October 26.

However, a judge allowed him to leave his house to attend church services on Easter Sunday.

[story was edited March 27, 2007 at 7:08 p.m. EST]

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