“Are you pleading [of] your own free will because you are guilty,” asked U.S. District Court Judge Charles Pannell Jr. as Clifford J. Harris Jr. sat before him in a federal court room.

With his head cocked and wearing a tapered gray suit, Harris responded, “Yes, your honor.”

On March 27, Harris known to the world as rap superstar, T.I., pleaded guilty to three counts of weapons charges stemming from an incident on Oct. 13, 2007, when ATF agents apprehended the rapper as he retrieved three machine guns and two silencers from his bodyguard, who was cooperating with the bureau in the investigation as an informant.

Before he serves his one year plus one day sentence, Harris must pay $100,000 and commit to doing at least 1,000 hours of community service. “That service will focus on using his high, public visibility and his talents and life experience 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,” said U.S. Attorney David Nahmias during the press conference.

According to Harris’ attorney, Steve Sadow, redemption and looking to the future are the focus for the next year. “He’s going to make sure that others don’t have to follow in his footsteps and go through what he’s gone through,” he said.

No one agreed more with the sentencing outcome than Harris himself, who met the media on the courthouse steps with a million-dollar smile and a promising message. “The most important thing to me is that I can turn this negative time in my life right now, into a positive,” he said. “I realize I have a very long road of redemption to travel and I intend to do just that. I am dedicated and committed to making a difference in the lives of our young people today and I really do appreciate the opportunity.”
–gavin philip godfrey

Check out this exclusive video footage of T.I.’s press conference.

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