T.I. Denied Bond, Judge Expecting Court-Approved Home Monitor

Atlanta rapper, T.I. “Clifford Harris, Jr” who was arrested on Saturday, October 13, 2007 was denied bond by U.S. Magistrate judge Alan Baverman on yesterday after failing to meet the requirements (provide private alarm monitoring company and an employee to live on the property, property bond, etc.). The rapper entered a plea of not guilty on federal gun charges after being charged with illegal possession of unregistered machine guns and silencers, as well as possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

On October 13, agents claim that T.I. took delivery of three machine guns and two silencers from a bodyguard who was cooperating with ATF ( Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) after trying to purchase guns from an undercover ATF agent. The bobyguard reportedly told ATF that the guns were being purchased on T.I.’s behalf.

The same bodyguard was stated to have tried to purchase guns from a gun store without wanting to go through the proper paper work. The federal firearms licensee then contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and an investigating was initiated for more than a month. The bodyguard reportedly made arrangements with the agents and called T.I. to have him come to a parking lot to pick up the guns on October 13th, hours before he was expected to perform at the 2nd Annual BET Hip-Hop Awards. This led to the arrest of T.I. “Clifford Harris, Jr”.

In the meantime, reportedly lawyer Ed Garland has proposed placing someone in T. I.’s home 24 hours a day to monitor the activities.

T.I. is expected to be back in court on October 26, 2007 and at that time lawyers must produce a court-approved home monitor. If approved by U.S. Magistrate judge Alan Baverman, T. I. will have to turn in his passport as well as give up his driving rights and submit to random drug testing and property searches. Visitors hoping to visit the rapper will have to be on the pre-approved visitation list.

If convicted, T.I. currently faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.