T.I.'s Arrest Companion Identified As Convicted Felon

Tip may have further violated probation by driving with Cortez 'C-Rod' Thomas, who was also in on rapper's 2007 attempt to purchase illegal firearms.By Jayson Rodriguez





T.I.

Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/ FilmMagic




T.I. might be in more trouble with the law than originally believed.
According to reports, T.I. was accompanied by a convicted felon when he was pulled over and arrested in Los Angeles on September 1. It's a strict no-no for convicted felons — Tip is also a felon — to associate with each other.
Now, documents uncovered by TheSmokingGun.com reveal that the felon was reportedly Cortez "C-Rod" Thomas, the man who allegedly helped facilitate T.I.'s attempted illegal firearm purchase in October 2007, which led to the Atlanta MC's most recent prison stint and subsequent probation.
Thomas, according to records, allegedly assisted T.I. (born Clifford Harris) by transferring a wealth of cash to the rapper's bodyguard. The bodyguard was later set up by federal officials and agreed to participate in a sting against the "Takers" star.
Thomas was never charged in the incident, but he is named and information regarding his past is included in material related to T.I.'s original case. Thomas' rap sheet includes drug charges and claims of physical intimidation; earlier this year, he was convicted on felony drugs and weapon charges and received 15 years probation.
The new information adds to the case being mounted against T.I. In addition to the controlled substances found in his car — later identified as Ecstasy, marijuana — the rapper may have also had the opiate codeine in his system, according to TMZ.
The Atlanta judge who oversaw T.I.'s gun case and structured an experimental plea deal with him has ordered the rapper to appear in court to explain his actions and make a case for why his behavior doesn't violate the terms of his probation.
"We are very disappointed in Mr. Harris' recent conduct," United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in an e-mail to MTV News on Friday (September 17). "We will make our sentencing recommendation at the revocation hearing."
A hearing date for T.I. had not been scheduled at press time.



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