AllRespect.com // T.I. Begins Prison Sentence

Posted on 2009-05-27 03:00:12
Artist/band(s): T.I. [FB]

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1612146/20090526/t_i_.jhtml

Rapper will serve 366-day sentence on weapons conviction.By Jayson Rodriguez

T.I.Photo: Moses Robinson/ Getty Images

T.I. turned himself in Tuesday (May 26) at an Arkansas federal prison, where the rapper will begin serving a 366-day sentencestemming from his 2007 arrest for attempting to illegally attempting to purchase firearms in Atlanta.

According to several reports, Tip is now in custody at the low-security wing of the Forrest City Federal Correctional Complex, where the rapper will circulate with the rest of the inmates without preferential treatment.

There is some confusion over when T.I. actually arrived at the facility. TMZ first reported that the rapper had turned himself in before his scheduled noon deadline, citing confirmation from T.I.'s attorneys.

However, a report from an NBC affiliate in Georgia, 41 NBC, indicated T.I. was not in custody, citing a rep from the prison who claimed the rapper was not listed in custody shortly after his scheduled deadline, and an Associated Press report said T.I. arrived later than his scheduled deadline. The report said the rapper showed up approximately 29 minutes late, stating that a black van with Georgia license plates and tinted windows pulled up to the prison. Police had to rope off well wishers, reporters and others gathered down the road from the prison, according to the report.

This is not the first time confusion has arisen regarding T.I. and his sentencing. An Associated Press report earlier this month suggested T.I. would only serve up to two months of his scheduled jail time. However, MTV News later confirmed the rapper will have to serve at least 10 months of his time.

Inquiries made by MTV News on Tuesday to T.I.'s lawyers and record label, Atlantic Records, had not been returned at press time.

Last week, the rapper's lawyers had requested a two-week delayin the sentence, and hoped the rapper could serve his term at a facility closer to his home in Atlanta. That request was denied on Friday.

It is unclear if the rapper's tardiness on Tuesday will affect his plea deal. Under the terms of his arraignment, the rapper completed a number of community service hours and outreach, advising teens against making the type of mistake he made. In October 2007, Tip was arrested on the eve of the BET Hip-Hop Awards after attempting to purchase an array of guns, a crime for a previously convicted felon such as T.I.

T.I.'s then-impending prison term, of course, was the subject of MTV's recent "T.I.'s Road to Redemption"series.

Tip was scheduled to turn himself in on Tuesday after bidding his fans farewell during a going-away show Sunday night in Atlanta. Soulja Boy Tell'em, Main and members of T.I.'s Grand Hustle roster of artists feted the rapper at the performance, held in Atlanta's Philips Arena.

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