Rapper T.I. was sentenced to serve one year and one day in jail after pleading guilty to weapons charges. T.I (whose real name is Clifford Harris, Jr.) was arrested October 2007 attempting to add guns to an already large illegal arsenal, which is wrong on so many levels.
Federal sentencing guideline state that T.I should spend at least four year and nine months in prison for his crime, but the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports T.I.'s legal team was able to work out an "experimental plea bargain" on the his behalf.
Basically T.I. was ordered to stay under house arrest, pay a $100,000 fine, and serve a thousand hours of community service - plus an additional 500 hours after his release. Having complied with the terms he was given the lenient sentence of 366 days in prison. A sentence might I also add, that he does not have to complete in its entirety. T.I.'s plea deal also allows him to eliminate 15 % of his sentence based on good behavior, plus he'll get time knocked off for the two weeks he spent in jail after his initial arrest.
Now, I hate to sound like I am always picking on famous people, but come on. You have got to be kidding me with an "experimental plea bargain". Let's take a look at some of the facts, T.I.; a former drug dealer was arrested for attempting to purchase three unregistered machine guns and two silencers from undercover agents. According to Vibe Magazine (which features T.I. on this month's cover) Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearm officials raided the rapper's Atlanta home (that he shares with girlfriend, Tiny, from the group Xscape) and found Colt 5.56 cal rifle, an AK 7.62x39 mm pistol and ammunition inside the couple's bedroom. A Bushmaster Carbon 15 with laser sight, a .44 mag, a Calico 9 mm, gun boxes and ammunition were found inside of walk-in fingerprint operated safe, located within a secret department of their closet.
Forgive me for asking, but was he preparing to go to war? Who needs all of that fire power if they are not a super hero or an action star in a Hollywood blockbuster? Omitting the fact that he had several illegal weapons - the fact that he is a felon who had fire arms within his possession should be enough to lock him up for a long period of time. But, he has once again shown me just how jaded our justice system can be when it comes to dealing with celebrities and their crimes. T.I. has conducted several interviews in which he has said he did not "snitch on no body." Well, I just don't understand how doing some community service and filming a MTV reality series about what you've learned constitutes such a light sentence.
I hate the message that this sends. I cannot wrap my brain around it. Had that been me trying to purchase the same weapons - I would have gotten the book thrown at me. I would have been made the example, not given the opportunity to try out an "experimental plea bargain." I am a fan of T.I.'s music, I am not going to sit here and pretend I don't have the "Paper Trial" album (the album he recorded while on house arrest) and I am not going to deny that he has shown remorse for his actions. But, I feel like if you really want to tell the millions of kids who idolize you that you were wrong step up and serve a full sentence. Step up and serve the federal requirement.
Afua S. Owusu
(uh-fee-yah) (oh-woo-sue)
News Producer
Comments (3)
you r jus sooooo fine i love lookin' at u in yo videos cuz u r dat freakin' hot, and i also hate that they sent u 2 jail yu still gone be my baby forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ya gurl Tay-Tay!!!
Posted by Taymarra | July 20, 2009 7:59 PM
Posted on July 20, 2009 19:59
wateva t.i didnt do jack dem reportaz r jst jelous of him hes so fine why wud that eye candy be doing handling guns yal r jst jelous cause hes got a gud career going for him,i love him and hope his family pulls through this and hope hes well and makes more smashing hits for us in south africa,durban-zandile ngcobo
Posted by zandile ngcobo | June 7, 2009 2:23 PM
Posted on June 7, 2009 14:23
I agree. Our justice system has proved time and time again that if you have celebrity statue you are guaranteed leniency for crimes that a "regular" person would get significant time for.
Breaking the law is bad, but if your remorseful and a celebrity its not that bad. The precedent that is repeatedly un-enforced by these slaps on the wrist are just too much...or in this case to little.
Posted by Lloyd | March 27, 2009 4:07 PM
Posted on March 27, 2009 16:07