Prison-bound rapper T.I. has publicly thanked U.S. prosecutors for granting him a plea deal in relation to his 2007 federal weapons charges, because it allows him to close a troubled "chapter" in his life.
T.I.
The Live Your Life hitmaker, real name Clifford Harris, Jr., was officially sentenced to a year and a day behind bars following an appearance in an Atlanta, Georgia court on Friday morning.
The charges stem from his October 2007 arrest, when he was caught attempting to buy an arsenal of guns from an undercover FBI agent.
His lawyers struck a unique plea deal with prosecutors last year, which saw the star agree to complete a total of 1,500 hours of community service, pay a $100,300 (£71,640) fine and serve 366 days in jail for the crime. Without the deal, the superstar faced more than four years imprisonment.
U.S. District Court Judge Charles Pannell Jr. praised T.I. for turning his life around since the incident, telling the star he had more than exceeded the court's expectations and hoped his case would inspire others in similar circumstances to follow in his footsteps.
And T.I. is grateful to have been given the opportunity to make ammends for his wrongdoings. Speaking after Friday's court hearing, he told reporters, "It brings me great pleasure and honor to say to you today that I have begun to close this chapter in my life with, of course, the help and blessings of the U.S. attorneys and the courts of the U.S. government.
"I would like to thank all who have helped me throughout my journeys, along my journey, including my attorneys, all of the foundations and all of the organisations who have helped me align myself with people who see to it that I seek out my wishes and intentions to the best of my ability.
"Although I am not thrilled about my next year and a day, I am pleased that I am beginning the process of putting this all behind me. Thank you and I apologise to my family, to the young men, young women that I mentor. I hope that I can keep at least one, if not a million or more, from going down a similar path. I just want to say thank you."
T.I. has been ordered to voluntarily report to jail by 19 May.
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