T.I. Arrested; Faces 'Long Prison Sentence'

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) arrested T.I. in Atlanta today on multiple weapons charges after they say he had a bodyguard try to buy machine guns and silencers for him.

The ATF executed a search warrant at his home, and according to Atlanta’s FOX 5 News, T.I., remains in custody.

The agencies at the scene of the federal search warrant include: The ATF, U.S. Marshalls: Fugitive Task Force, Fulton County SWAT, Fulton County PD, Dekalb County PD, and the ATF/Atlanta PD Violent Crime Impact Team.

As a result, T.I. missed his performance at tonight’s BET Hip-Hop Awards. Busta Rhymes, Alfamega, and DJ Drama performed “Hurt” without him. Busta was heard yelling “Free T.I.!” during the performance. Read more and view the affidavit and search warrant.

UPDATE: “[T.I.] now faces serious federal charges and a potentially long prison sentence,” said Vanessa McLemore, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Atlanta Division. According to AllHipHop, he will remain in federal custody until Monday, October 15, when he will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan J. Baverman at the United States Courthouse in Atlanta.