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T.I. Arrested in Atlanta

The rapper T.I. was arrested in his hometown of Atlanta, GA on October 13 as he prepared to attend the BET Hip-Hop awards. T.I., born Clifford Harris, is being charged with the purchase of illegal firearms, including machine guns and silencers.

The arrest is the result of an undercover sting set up by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Earlier this month the agency learned that Harris' bodyguard was attempting to buy machine guns without registering them as required by law. After the bodyguard was arrested for the purchase of the machine guns and other weapons, he began cooperating with police to allow for delivery of the items to Harris. Upon delivery, the rapper was arrested and charged.

Later searches of Harris' vehicle and home turned up nine more guns. Harris initially used his bodyguard to secure the firearms because the rapper is a convicted felon and barred from buying weapons as such. He now faces federal charges and a potentially lengthy prison sentence.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
10.15.07