The self-proclaimed "King of the South" pleaded guilty to federal weapons charges this afternoon (Mar. 27), as expected, and will face jail time.

As SOHH reported earlier today, sources close to the negotiations spoke to the Associated Press about T.I.'s legal fate.

According to the AP, Tip (born Clifford Harris, Jr.) will not be sentenced until next year. During that time he remain on house arrest where he will have to perform 1,000 out of 1,500 hours of community service speaking to youth groups across the country.

T.I.'s sentencing was delayed in order "to allow him to perform a unique and extensive program - at least 1,000 hours - of community service," the rapper's lawyer, David Nahmias said. "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."

After that one year period T.I. will receive a one year prison sentence. As part of the deal he will also have to perform a total of 1,500 hours of community service, three years probation, and pay a $100,000 fine. Depending on T.I.'s conduct and if he meets the deal's qualifications, the rapper's prison time could be changed.

Tip stood in a grey suit before the judge and pled guilty to all three federal charges against him, including knowingly accepting machine guns and firearms that weren't registered, knowingly possessing three machine guns and violating the law by being a felon and possessing a firearm.

Each count would have been punishable by 10 years in jail and a $250,000 fine, if Tip stuck to his original not guilty plea.

"I'd like to thank God for blessing me with a second chance in life and success," T.I. told the media after the change of plea hearing. "I'm looking forward to turning this negative time in my life into a positive. I know I have a long road of redemption to travel."

As SOHH previously reported, Tip was arrested and indicted in October of last year on weapons charges after being caught trying to buy machine guns and silencers from undercover agents in a drug store parking lot.

Though this past Easter, T.I. was allowed to attend church service with his family at the Georgia Dome -- where New Birth Missionary Baptist Church held its annual worship service -- the rapper has remained on house arrest on $3 million bond.

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