7 Shocking Details About T.I.'s Arrest For Assault, Disorderly Conduct, And Public Drunkenness
The rapper claims he's innocent.
Clifford Harris Jr. AJA rapper and actor T.I. or Tip is known for his musical talents and hit shows but unfortunately, he made headlines for another reason in the early hours of May 16th, 2018.
Wednesday morning T.I. had reportedly forgotten his keys and was locked out of his gated community in Atlanta while intoxicated. Around 4 am he was arrested for assault, disorderly conduct, and public drunkenness after having an argument with the security guard who would not let him in.
Although the guard was never hit, under Georgia law simple assault does not need to be physical, verbal threats qualify as well.
New details about T.I.'s arrest:
1. The security guard was sleeping when T.I. first tried to get into his home.
T.I was returning from Eagles' Landing Country Club when he arrived to his gated community and saw the security guard was sleeping. According to his attorney, it took him a while to wake the guard up. T.I. told The Blast he gave the guard, who is black, every opportunity to apologize, but he "antagonized" him and escalated the situation.
2. The guard eventually let T.I in.
After the rapper was let into his gated community, he returned to the guard's post to taunt him. The guard said he was afraid T.I. would hit him and consequently called the police.
3. A friend was with him when he was arrested.
After getting into a verbal argument with the security guard the Whatever You Like rapper called a friend to come and help him out. “Don’t you know who I am?” T.I. asked the guard, according to police. When the police arrived, they arrested the friend who has yet to be identified.
4. He was released on bail.
Bail was set at $2,250 and he was released on his own recognizance according to the arrest record. Shortly after his release, he celebrated his 10-year-old son's birthday.
5. He's due to appear in court.
His court date is set for May 17th and the rapper plans to pursue legal action against the homeowner's association over the incident. He also made comments about law enforcement saying they were "white cops in a very white area."
6. It's not his first run-in with the law.
In 2009, the musician was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and ordered to pay a $100,300 fine on weapons charges related to purchasing machine guns and silencers.
7. His attorney made a statement.
His attorney provided a full statement claiming the rapper's innocence. "The guard continued to refuse entry without justification. Words were exchanged and apparently the guard and/or a supervisor called the police," the statement read. "When the police arrived, they were not interested in hearing Tip's side of the story and wrongfully chose to end the situation by arresting Tip."
Molly Given is a writer living in Philadelphia and lover of all things to do with mystery and magic in life. When she’s not writing her fingers off she can be found planning her next adventure in a new part of the world.