According to a press release from the United States Department of Justice as well as other reports surfacing late yesterday (October 13th), T.I. (whose government name is Clifford Harris) was arrested on the corner of North Avenue and Piedmont Road in Midtown Atlanta (in the parking lot of a Walgreens) around 2:30 p.m. after allegedly purchasing three machine guns and two silencers – the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) were in attendance at the meeting. Since his arrest, he has been informally charged with a federal felony count of possession of unregistered machine guns (including the silencers) in addition to two federal felony counts of possession of firearms by a convicted felon. The self proclaimed “King of the South” is in federal custody and will make his initial appearance in the United States Courthouse in Atlanta on Monday, October 15th. “Formal charges have not been filed yet,” said T.I.’s attorney, Dwight L. Thomas. “Informal charges have been filed, meaning a criminal complaint and an arrest warrant. But an actual indictment, which is formal charges, has not been filed [yet]. Tomorrow is a first appearance hearing [which we won’t be presented with the formal charges at]. It’s simply for the purposes of advising him of why he was arrested, not whether he’s innocent or guilty. The judge doesn’t make those determinations tomorrow. It’s just a formality. He’s brought before the court. Inquiries are made [as to whether] he has counsel, and of course he has lawyers. And [he’s informed] of what he’s initially accused of, in terms of federal allegations.”
Because of attorney-client privilege, Thomas cannot reveal whether or not T.I. will be flatly denying the charges. “But in this country a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Thomas. “So as he stands right now in a court of law, he’s not guilty. That’s America. This is not Iraq.” “The court will address issues of bail tomorrow,” T.I.’s lawyer clarifies. “I can tell you that the law allows bail for this particular offense, or offenses.” The charges may grow, since during a vheicle search, he was allegedly driving at the time of his arrest, three additional guns were discovered. Also, one loaded firearm was allegedly tucked between the driver’s seat where T.I. was sitting and the center console. Three other people who havent been identified, were in T.I.’s vehicle and were arrested, however one was released. Shortly after the arrest, a federal search warrant was executed on T.I.’s home in College Park. Allegedly, three rifles, two pistols and a revolver were discovered while conducting a search of T.I.’s home. Five of the six guns were loaded. 12 guns and two silencers were recovered during the arrest and subsequent searches.
According to the allegations set by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, David E. Nahmias, the circumstances that led to T.I.’s arrest unfolded unusually. On October 2nd an employee of a federal firearms licensee advised ATF that someone was attempting to buy a machine gun without registering the weapon, which is required by law. That person trying to make the purchase was then directed to an undercover ATF agent who was posing as a machine gun dealer. Last Wednesday (October 10th) the buyer was arrested by ATF after purchasing 3 unregistered machine guns and 2 silencers from the undercover agent in exchange for $2,200 and a pistol. After the arrest the buyer agreed to become a CW(cooperating witness) for the government following his revelation to arresting agents that he was purchasing the machine guns for his boss, Clifford Harris, who as a convicted felon is legally not permitted to own a firearm. The witness had been working as a bodyguard for T.I. for the past three months. At this point, T.I.’s attorney can’t reveal the name of the bodyguard. “All of that will probably be made public throughout the course of the proceedings,” he said.
Since his employment with T.I. had just began in July, there are several skeptics already surfacing, all of whom wonder aloud if T.I.’s bodyguard was working with the government all along to help establish these charges. “I’ll leave those types of theories to others,” said Thomas. “We will deal with facts and law in court that are relevant and admissible. I’m sure there will be lots of rumors or gossip, lots of insinuations. But those are the kinds of things that lawyers should not deal with.” The cooperating witness allegedly purchased firearms for T.I. during most of his employment. According to T.I. behalf, he purchased a Calico 9mm pistol on September 6th, a Smith & Wesson .500 caliber revolver on September 18th, in addition to three rifles and four handguns on September 26th. He allegedly used $7,000 in cash provided by T.I. Three of those guns were recovered during the search of T.I.’s home. Records confirm that the cooperating witness has legally purchased 25 guns over the past year-and-a-half. As soon as the CW was arrested on Wednesday, T.I. allegedly arranged for his bodyguard-turned-snitch to retrive $12,000 cash from his account to purchase the machine guns. After agreeing to cooperate with the government, the CW had a series of telephone conversations with T.I., which were being recorded by ATF. On Thursday (October 11th) in one of the calls the CW is recording saying he had “everything for you” to T.I., who reportedly responded affirmatively.
The next day (Friday, October 12th) T.I. reportedly phoned the CW, who then asked Harris when he wanted to take delivery of what he had. Reportedly, T.I. then agreed to take possession of what the CW had yesterday. After the CW left a voicemail message for T.I. yesterday morning, Harris reportedly called him back shortly after noon to set up delivery of the guns. During the delivery of the guns in the Walgreens parking lot the CW reportedly entered T.I.’s vehicle and displayed the two silencers and three machine guns that Harris was allegedly attempting to purchase. When the CW explained the function of one of the silencers T.I. allegedly said “no flash, no bang.” Harris’ reportedly also discussed with his bodyguard the selector switch, which switches the gun from semi-automatic to fully automatic, of one of the machine guns. T.I. was then arrested.
Had T.I. not been jailed a few hours before, he would have received the award for Album of the Year at the BET Hip Hop Awards . T.I. shares the award with Common, who accepted on T.I.’s behalf. He was also scheduled to perform at the awards presentation, but due to his absence, comedian, and host of the show, Katt Williams performed in his place alongside Wyclef Jean in a rendition of “You Know What It Is.” Several artists voiced their support for T.I. during the show. “He’s appreciative of all the support he has gotten from the people in the music industry, and people outside the music industry,” said Thomas. “I’ve had a chance to speak to him [since the arrest], our conversations were very productive. He is very upbeat. He’s confident that the American legal system will work in his favor. He understands that he lives in a country that has a great court system. And that court system is designed to protect the citizens of this country. And he will be afforded all of those protections.”
COMMENTS
I think he is going to prison....stupid
damn man, can't a nigga own some guns. his fat fuckin snitch body gaurd is a piece of shit and should be dealt with accordingly.
IF HE WONT A FELON HE WOULD B GOOD...HIS BODYGUARD THE DEFINITION OF A SNITCH
Yea T.I. was stupid for this shit. Hes supposed to be a business man now what he need all them guns for. Plus he jus got out what 2 years ago from a parole violation? If they have the proof they say they have the book is gon get thrown at T.I. and he deserves it. And the body guard was only with him for 3 months so what kind of loyalty do you expect when you facing federal charges. And the Feds had to know something was more to the story when this no named ass body guard was lookin for machine guns and silencers.
^^^^man u sound stupid as fuck!!!
u actin like niggas with money dont have no problems...ther is alot of haters out their that dont like t.i and want that nigga head so why shouldnt he have guns...and the reason he had his bodygard do it is becuz he cant buy none becuz of his felony record
MO' MONEY MO' PROBLEMS!!!!!
the only thing t.i did wrong was to trust this snitch he only knew for 3 months!
he should of just had one of his niggas with no record to get them for him...
^^^U dumb as shit.^^^
What part of CONVICTED FELON is had to fuckin understand bitch the nigga had no business wit the guns in the first place. The nigga got enough money to have 24 hour security what the fuck do he need wit 12 guns and mutha fuckin silencers for. Ya'll niggas say he should have got one of his real niggas to get it for him. The law is that he can't have guns period the nigga was jus to hard headed to wanna abide by that shit don't be mad cuz ya'll favorite fuckin rapper gettin locked up cuz hes a dumb ass. If a convicted felon got a hold of so guns and hit one of yo loved ones u'd be mad as fuck that he got his hands on it. Ya'll niggas try to beat legal shit wit street shit when that shit never gon happen. His mistakes were being a felon already on probation having and still tryna get guns.
i know.... its a damn shame too
ohh and by the way..."So as he stands right now in a court of law, he’s not guilty. That’s America. This is not Iraq.”
thats the most stupid ignorant shit ever...specially to come from a lawyer.
yeah its a shame, i just find it amusing that with so much talk about hiphop-police rappers still go and do stupid shit like this..shiiiiiet
Really, Why in the world is he dealing wit the gun himself??? "I guess just bcuz you got a bighead, it don't make you smart!!!"
Stop hatin man, u momma got a big head, and with that i mean she gives the best head ever. Superhead haha. Bitch!!
What a shame. Whole lot of rappers gettin locked up right now. Shyne, Prodigy is gonna get locked up, and now maybe T.I. Shit son
P is already behind bars b....I wish him luck, but he got done in by a fuckin snitch son...it looks real bad.
What already ? What a shame haha
yall lame fuck ass bitches dont know what yall talkin bout. money talk bullshit walk tip gone beat that shit 2 years tha most. im a convicted felon got caught wit a pistol right out in 2 days real talk
BUT HE GOT CAUGHT BY THE FEDS ITS OVER ESCIALLY IF HE HAS A LONG RAP SHEET
man mike tyson had money an went 2 prison prodigy goin to prison slick rick was in prison dude jus cus u got money dnt guarantee shyt when it cum 2 da feds blood
bruh had heavy artillery.. TIP was ready 4 war, y i dunno but it wasnt jus no pistols he was gettin.. tip was gettin AK's & shit.. he might do more than 2 yrs jus cuz he dealin wit the suits.. & 4 those who dont kno yeah the body guard is a snitch & had priors so bruh was gon fold like paper
Damn this shit fucked up... Yea its stupid for a rapper makin millions to risk all they got by doin dumb shit like this... but you know what they say, "You can take a man out the hood but cant take the hood out a man"... I guess T.I. don't fuckin play and I guess he just lucky he dont got any bodies on any of those weapons or at least I hope not... Thats fucked up his bodyguard did him in like dat... Flowers over snitches
damn his own bodyguard thats foul man they probly been planning this for a while too
Fuck that. The real crime is BET giving this nigga 'album of the year' for that wack ass album!!! Who the fuck do they have on the panel?
LOL!! Thats Messed Up And True...But Come On Man I Dont Mess Wit Him Like That But Let Him Live Yo....He Goin Away For A Minute
T.I. is an idiot. there is so much to lose by doing this. You can't purchase a weapon if you were convicted of a felony. He is going to Jail. And why do u need a machine gun? Personally I blame the movie Scarface.
says the street nigga .
lol you blame the movie scarface lol wdf kinda shit is that fucking sad
y would his own bodyguard do him foul like that....with the kinda shit that was allegedly found up in his crib...it would take a miracle 4 this nigga to walk away free
i mean if prodigy went down 4 a .22...then i wondewr how much time TI is gonna get
T.I is my nigga, king of south
greathustle 4 life FUCK HATERS
its GRANDE HUSTLE u fucking faggot
Actually...it's GRAND HUSTLE
^^^cant u see that was a typo...smart ass
no, what I COULD see though, was that an idiot called someone a faggot for mispelling something and then went ahead and did the same shit lol
LMMFAO!!
man real talk haha.
Reign....cant u tell the difference between GREAT AND GRAND how the fuck is that a misspell u fuckin retard...the truth of the matter is that the faggot hoodstock does not know wtf he is talkin about and it is obvious that your dumb ass does not kno what a mispell is
ok everybody!!! Let's look at EAzyy's comment. Did he mispell something?? Hmmmm, is he an idiot?? It looks like someone went a little too "EAzyy" on their schoolwork when they were younger. Dog, shut the fuck up and wipe ya feet when you come in my house you little bitchass. Dont open up ya mouth again...you just look more and more dumb
HOTDAM! LMAO
wipe ya feet when you come in my house you little bitchass LMAO never seen dude go off like that
reign......fuck outta here with all that dumb internet threats you lames ass retard
e-thugin on over your keyboard nd ish
u making yoself look dumb with all that wipe your feet shit
niggas on here gettin mad an emotional now lmao WIPE YA FEET B4 COMIN IN THE HOUSE BITCH LOL!
lol@ greathustle . his body guard a snitch ho ass nigga. i hope T.I walk away from this one cause it seem like the government is fuckin hard wit rappers. this is they way of trying to silence rap music.
I don't know about you, but I ain't try'n to go to jail and get butt fucked for NO BODY. You talk'n bout the government. FUCK THAT NO SNITCH'N shit. If you ain't family, I ain't give'n up my freedom for you. Over some dumb ass guns ? You should of registered them shits..then you'd be good. He ain't a snitch, he's a dumb ass. and T.I. dumb for not having him register the guns. ANYBODY KNOWS the government watches that shit.
The ONLY REASON T.I. wouldn't have him register that shit was if the guns was for Killing somebody and they didn't want it traced back, and thus I say FUCK T.I. Killing is wack as fuck. talk about it all day but fuck that shit.
real talk tho think about this he new what kinda of trouble he could get into for buying that shit he could have said no im not doing it from the start but he didnt. you dont want to get buttfuck dont take but fucking risks and the ho out . all sntiches need to be hung
see thas how sad ass rumor get started who said he was gonna kill someone who said he was buying them guns for him either way that nigga a ho for snitching he knew the risks .
Nobody but put shit together fam. If T.I. was collecting, he'd just have his body guard register his guns, end of story no feds. BUT obviouly he didn't cause he didn't want the guns tracked...and the only reason you do that is for some kill'n shit.
i would like to know why the hell he was purchasin guns .. niggas need to learn once you blow you need to leave the streets alone fuck what niggas think...
This really hurt me to hear about all this over the last few days. This just shows that throughout all the positive things that you do, one false move and everything you've worked for can be quickly erased. Tip knew that he was a convicted felon, and that the FEDS been watchin him his whole career. He also knew that if he made any mistakes at all that they would catch up with him. Considering the way that he was racking up on the guns it seemed as if he was about to do something that would've sent him away for life anyway, so I guess it just comes down to what's more important to you in situations like this.
Hopefully things turn out for the best, and I can hear my nigga back on the mike again.
I don't feel that bad for him. Why is he buying guns? If he using them to kill people. Then fuck him, he need to be in jail. If he's buy'em to collect. Still fuck him. You a felon, you damn idiot. You wana look at some guns in cases ? Is it worth the risk ? He ain't got no reason to own a gun. You got body guards. wasn't that the point ?
All I'm say'n is if he on some bullshit then fuck him. let him sit in jail.
The ONLY REASON T.I. wouldn't have him register that shit was if the guns was for Killing somebody and they didn't want it traced back, and thus I say FUCK T.I. Killing is wack as fuck. talk about it all day but fuck that shit.
his bodyguard a snitch he a ho ass nigga if he was working wit the FEDS from the start he a ho ass nigga SNITCH niggas need to be hung lol
T.I. is stupid!...i dont feel bad!...retard as dood...everything was goin good!...good album, award nominations!...y fuck that up, i hope he enjoys jail lol...
tip in sum deep shyt!
on this site is some stupid mofofucker some niggas saying why he is buying gun, then ask your self why da police got guns for protection dumbass wheter it be against enemey or da goverment, this man close freind just got mudered in front that man eyes and them nigga saying killing is wack Sanders is a bitch and stupid let someone murder your close freind or a famliy member what gonna do cry like a bitch stupid ass nigga da only thing T.I.P did wrong was picking them up him self and trusting a nigga he just met
It's called letting God handle the situation and yo friend is dead because yall was on some dumb shit, so whats the logical thing to do? you get up out that dumb shit. you a felon. cop'n them guns is some dumb shit no matter who died in front you. You got body guards FOR A REASON. They protect yo ass so you ain't gotta cop the guns and wind you silly ass back in prison. He fucked his own life. his friend ain't get killed in front of him cause they was taking cans to recycle, ya dig. You move away from that shit, not get deeper into it.
Street Cred is bullshit, grow the fuck up.
I stand behind KILLING IS WACK SHIT.. because at the end of the day does kill'n another nigga bring yo nigga back ? Or does it put a beam on ALL yo niggas heads. That shit just multiplies and don't get better. It doesn't solve shit and really only affects the people that aint dead. the dead niggas are RIP. The alive people are grieving and asjusting. So yes the fuck I will say killing is wack.
cosign to sanders dats real talk rite dare
The world we live in poses many threats, imposters, sniches, killers ect. what bothers me the most about this is that T.I wll go to prison (he been there before) but he will go again. The bodygaurd was caught red handed he will go to prison.
I can't speak for the bodygaurd. But if I was T.I, I'll be putting that 50,000 on his head. And T.I, what da fuck you thinking son...like damn son who you was finna go to war with 25 guns now he was trying to cop silencers and shit yeah son sit yo ass down somewhere......Tip should have told T.I he was doing to much..................death to the CW.
I like the way this guy thinks. That "bodyguard" got the game fucked up I bet unless he's under witness protection, hes going to get done.
shit it is a dam shame but lil flip& the rest of the south this is your chance to get to the top i would do it
damnit that nigga is finished and it's no one's fault but his...
Listen to the entire GetBack by Little Brother it's classic --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getback(click the numbers next to the track titles)
I would say that I feel sorry for T I but in this present day and age and NOT to mention the fact that he is 27 and OH YEAH raps about the kind of situations that he JUST got himself into!!!!! When are these rappers and who ever else going to WISE up?
Not only does he have himself to think about but his KIDS, fiance, fans and family memebers! I would like to go on and say ....Hopefully this will be an EXAMPLE to others! But after Prodigy JUST plead guilty to gun charges.....I dont think SO! One more thing...T I did you forget that you were an already ONCE convicted felon? Or did you think YOUR stardome WOULD exempt you from jail time?.......next time rethink it!
P.S...... I bet he wish he was being punked.........damn that was fucked up.
And i suppose to went to his concert last night he fucked up my weekend with this bullshit.
FEDS BUY MIXTAPES....AND HIS BODYGUARD PLAYED HIM FROM THE START.. HE WAS A UNDERCOVER RAT!!!! tI GOTTA BE SMARTER THAN THAT Y DIDN'T HE HAVE ONE OF HIS HOMIES THAT HE FUCC WITH FROM HIS HOOD COP EM FOR EM
You must not have read the story. In case youre wondering, You are completely wrong, so stop talking about this please.
This shit is all fake...clever lil media stunt to further poison the country and boost the ratings of that American Gangster movie (think about it)...i used to be T.I.s biggest fan but this shit is getting ridiculous
the only reason he got album of the year is cuz he bitched about not winning last year...Ludacris didn't deserve it but T.I. didnt either
Wiz10l - 8 hours ago
WHEN KEEPING IT REAL GOES WRONG.....AGAIN!
A couple things...
1)Why the fuck would he let get caught out there like that?
When you're on top of ya game...and beefing with key players in the game you gotta understand that people are gonna be gunning for you; Muthafuckas hate losing! They're gonna do whateva they have to do to get rid of you. This goes for any situation...
Crabs in a Barrell people...just keep that shit in mind.
2) He's pretty much a done deal...
He's already got 2 strikes against him... that's pretty much it. FED boys don't play. When they get you... they make sure they're cases are legitimate...they make sure they stick...they make sure you do time...PERIOD!
Whoeva set him up is dirty...PERIOD. I bet you it was someone from the show...
Another fuckin' rapper...
NOW THAT'S SNITCHIN'....
3) This is going to be a major blow for hip hop. I dont give-a-fcu k what yall say about him...he's definitely a key player in the game...major loss...
Fuckin' Snitches...
~Be Eazy!
You don't defend someone with machine guns.. that's just stupid
TI is innocent until proven guilty. But the FEDS, it aint looking good for him. But I dont feel sorry for the nigga for a second. If you a "boss" why the fuck is you making dumbie moves like this. On top of that, fuck w a nigga you known 3 months? Idiot. Your by yourself in this world. Best wishes for him and his, we've all seen niggas get acquitted for worse. But FUCK, the feds aint a good look. LMAO @ Tip shoulda told TI not to do the shit. "Shit was all good just a week ago"
Sanders I'm really trying to sympathize with you...I really am... but u sound extremely ignorant. Not DUMB ignorant, but NOT KNOWING, NOT UNDERSTANDING, never been through shit ignorant.
Just because you got body guards you still ain't safe.
You don't know what type of threats he receives or anything. You're just talking...
I used to be on that not carrying a gun holy shit but fuck that. I lost too many friends and family members because they weren't carrying one.
You talk about letting God handle the situation...yeah it sounds good until shit pops off. His friend could've been a preacher or teacher or anybody...he could;ve gotten killed just for being at the wrong place...shit innocent kids get killed constantly but they're "On some dumb shit too right?"
The bod guard was a bitch point blank... he's been with TI for 3 months...probably and undercover agent... been purchasing large amounts of guns BEFORE he started with TI so he prolly had people onto him for quite some time, and just dragged someone else into it.
That's why I don't let new niggas in my circle...PERIOD!
Sanders until you can understand both sides...stop commenting...
I understand you ain't for all of the killing and blah blah blah...
But we're talking about another man's life being taken away because of a weak snitch!
Snitch = Getting someone else locked up to keep ya ass outta jail!
I could see if TI was a fucking rapist or murderer or some crazy shit...but he did the same shit that 95% of my team did... Got a burner to protect himself from hating muthafuckas!
~Be Eazy!
i couldnt have said it better myself
But he aint just get one heater....nigga had a arsenal!!....and if you a felon you fucked up your right to have guns...dudes with records should be last ones carrying.....my safety is far more important than yours
exactly dude dnt need army guns it aint like the fukin mafia had a hit on his head or sumin
THESE DUMB ASS RAPERS FUCKEN UP THE GAME JUST STUPID. IM FROM B MORE I WE DONT DO KNOW SNITCHING GUARD A PUSS. TI FUCKEN UP . ALL THE BLACKS FUCKEN UP JUST STUPID OUT THERE
LMFAO:
Tip shoulda told TI not to do the shit!
Yall wildin'...
~Be Eazy!
This is what happens when someone gets jammed up and start singing.
Wiz - I have to agree with that theory of dude purchasing guns before hooking up with T.I.....Dude definitely had something to give them alphabet boys once his ass got snatched. Fucked up situation for T.I.
Another uneducated Southern country bammer does something stupid. What a surprise.
man shut da fuk up
[reply] Q.GRIFF — about 6 hours ago
Fuck that. The real crime is BET giving this nigga 'album of the year' for that wack ass album!!! Who the fuck do they have on the panel?
cosign
choppas will hang you