After learning that T.I. will have to complete 1,000 hours of community service in the coming year as part of his plea deal, various organizations are putting in their requests to have the rapper speak at their functions. As previously reported by SOHH, though Tip (born Clifford Harris, Jr.) is not scheduled to be sentenced on three separate federal gun charges until next year, the rapper does have to complete 1,000 out of 1,500 hours of community service in the next year speaking to youth groups across the country. Less than 24 hours after the rapper entered his guilty plea, requests for him to speak to youth have been pouring in at an amazing rate, Steve Sadow, one of the rapper's lawyers, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "The idea really is he can get through to kids and fans like nobody else can," Sadow said. "Why not take advantage of what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?"
According to T.I.’s attorney’s, the rapper is not on house arrest for a year as was widely reported last week. “T.I. can go anywhere he wants,” said one of his attorneys. However, there are stipulations regarding his newfound freedom after spending six months holed up in his Atlanta mansion: The rapper has been ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device at all times, he can only attend court-approved industry events, he has to abide to a strict curfew and he can not leave the state of Georgia without permission. To say that he has been blessed is an understatement.
Below are pictures of T.I. and his pregnant girlfriend (who's due to delivery the couple's second son together in May) of several years, singer, Tameka 'Tiny' Cottle. For the first time since his arrest, the petite duo were allowed a night out on the town to attend an art exhibit by T.I.'s personal photographer, Derek Blanks.
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Though Tip originally faced 30 years in prison, if he stood by his original innocent plea, he will now only be ordered to spend a about a year behind bars, as long as he fulfills the obligations of his community service deal and stays out of trouble. The stipulations of the rapper's agreement calls for him to speak to at-risk youth about the dangers of drugs, gangs and using illegal firearms. Tip, who has been vocally in opposition of law enforcement in his music, must also promote respect for police and authorities. So far, local Atlanta district attorneys, a law enforcement group from Florida and a Georgia NAACP chapter are among those asking for the self proclaimed "King of The South's" time. The Rev. Daniel L. Edwards III, president of NAACP's HenryCounty branch, said he will be extending an invite. "We want to come up with a way to use his celebrity status and use him as a spokesman to reach the masses," said Edwards. "They need to hear: Gangs are not cool, jails are not cool, guns and violence are not cool."
Court records also show that actress Journee Smollett (
The Great Debators) wants Tip to speak to her "Catch Me Before I Fall Initiative," which uses celebrities to speak about the dangers of gangs and drugs. The Atlanta MC has also agreed to do public service announcements and teach classes for "It's Cool To Be Smart," a component of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said that prosecutors often give credit to those who cooperate and help convict someone. "If [Harris] can prevent someone from committing a crime and victimizing someone, why isn't that the same sort of thing we should reward?" he asked.
Picture Source:
SANDRA ROSE
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More details have emerged on the sudden death of Sean Levert. The singer had to be physically restrained by prison guards because he was "out of control" shortly before he collapsed and died. The 39-year-old son of The O'Jays star Eddie Levert collapsed in his cell at Cuyahoga County Jail on Sunday night night and was taken to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. He was being held behind bars after allegedly failing to pay $80,000 in child support to the mother of his kids. Now website TMZ.com is reporting that Levert had been "hallucinating" late on Sunday, and had to be strapped to a restraining chair because prison staff were convinced he posed a danger to himself and others. Jail warden Kevin MCDonough claims Levert co-operated with staff and "went willingly" when he was taken from his cell to have his wrists bound and feet shackled. The Cuyahoga County Coroner has admitted there were no signs of physical trauma on Levert's body and his death is not considered suspicious. He is believed to have suffered from high blood pressure, but jail officials claim they were unaware of any health condition he may have had. They are currently waiting on results from toxicology tests to determine Levert's exact cause of death.
