Rapper TI arriving at the Warner Music Group Grammy after-party in Los Angeles in this February 11, 2007 file photo. - File

ATLANTA (AP):

Rapper TI has admitted having unregistered machine guns and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Now he has a chance to avoid a lengthy prison sentence by telling kids not to make the same mistakes he did.

TI, whose real name is Clifford Harris, must spend at least 1,000 hours talking to youth groups about the pitfalls of guns, gangs and drugs before reporting for about a year in prison under a deal worked out Thursday.

"I'm looking forward to turning this negative time in my life into a positive," Harris, 27, told reporters after the hearing. "I know I have a long road of redemption to travel."

Dressed in a grey business suit, Harris pleaded guilty Thursday to possession of unregistered machine guns and silencers, unlawful possession of machine guns and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

may go to prison

He will be sentenced to serve about 12 months in prison after completing the community service, although his prison time could be increased or reduced depending on his fulfillment of the terms of the deal and good behaviour, officials said.

Harris is one of rap music's most successful artistes. He appeared in the 2007 film American Gangster, which starred Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.

United States Attorney David Nahmias said Harris will remain "under strict bond conditions" during the next year.

He said Harris' sentencing was deferred "to allow him to perform a unique and extensive programme - at least 1,000 hours of community service. That service will focus on using his high public visibility and his talents to tell at-risk young people about the mistakes he has made and to educate them about the dangers of violence, guns, gangs and drugs."

Nahmias said under the agreement, Harris will have to serve a year in prison and three years of supervised home detention, perform a total of 1,500 hours of community service and pay a US$100,000 fine.

Failure to fulfil his obligations will net Harris a "much longer prison sentence," Nahmias said.

Harris told reporters he takes the charges against him very seriously.

"I'd like to thank God for blessing me with a second chance in life and success," he said.