By Roman Wolfe
A judge ordered rap superstar T.I. released from prison on $3 million dollars bond today (October 26) but the rapper must stay in home confinement until his federal trial for possession of machine guns and silencers.
Judge Alan Baverman said the rapper will be restricted to a house in Henry County, Georgia and will be monitored 24 hours a day by a private monitoring service that he must also pay for.
The judge said that T.I. was to have no contact with witnesses or informants associated with the case.
T.I., born Clifford Harris, is charged with possession of unregistered machine guns and silencers and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
The rapper was arrested in Atlanta on October 13 by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) after he allegedly attempted to purchase three machine guns and two silencers from an undercover agent, acting as an arms dealer.
Police also found loaded weapons and marijuana on T.I. when they arrested him. A subsequent raid of his Atlanta mansion turned up a cache of loaded automatic weapons.
"On behalf of the family and friends of T.I., we appreciate the global outpouring of concern that he has received during this period," representatives for the rapper said. "T.I. is humbled by the overwhelming encouragement he is getting from his fans and offers his profound thanks to all."
T.I., 27, faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.