Rapper Clifford Harris Jr., Known as T. I. Sentenced to One Year, One Day on Gun Violation Charges

Rapper T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris Jr., has been sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Charles Pannell to one year and one day under a negotiated plea. The deal qualifies T.I. for credits likely to cut the sentence to about 298 day.

The 27-year-old rapper, wearing a dark suit and black shirt and tie, thanked the judge and prosecutors for giving him the chance to cut his prison time by speaking to youths about the pitfalls of crime, drugs and gangs. He has delivered that message to thousands in recent months.

“It means just as much to me to make you guys proud for what you have done as it does for me to make myself and my family proud,” he said at the sentencing hearing in downtown Atlanta.

“I’m a man of integrity. I’m a man of morals, of standards, of principle,” the entertainer said. He acknowledged that, to many, that may be difficult to believe, considering his criminal record. Pannell said he would not have approved the deal — which includes far less prison time than federal guidelines call for on the weapons charges involved — if U.S. Attorney David Nahmias had not recommeded it. “I think it’s been a good experiment,” Pannell said. “I’ve come to resist the lockup mentality that we often find ourselves in.” Panell also told T.I. directly: “I congratulate you on the year of work you have done so far.” The sentence includes a $100,000 fine. Source: AJC

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, T.I. has requested assignment to a federal facility near Atlanta, and he will not have to report before May 19. Upon release, he must be in home confinement for 60 days, he will have to perform another 470 hours of community service and he will serve three years on probation. Before Pannell approved the deal, Former Atlanta Mayor and United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young spoke to the judge on T.I.’s behalf, as well as Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Baptist megachurch.

Under U.S. Bureau of Prison rules, inmates can earn such credit only if they are sentenced to longer than a year in prison. T.I. should serve an estimated 298 days — or a little less than 10 months. He is expected to get credit for the two weeks he sat in jail after his arrest and before posting a $3 million bond. Source: AJC

I believe in giving people a second chance to prove themselves and T.I. has received that chance. The ball is in his court to live up to the expectations of the court and his supporters once the ordeal is behind him. I wish him all the best and pray that he will make God the focal point of his life. I also hope that he has changed his circle of friends. He doesn't need enablers, he needs the right people in his corner who are looking out for his best interests.