HENRY COUNTY, Ga. -- Atlanta rapper and entertainer T.I. was arrested outside of his gated community Wednesday morning.
The arrest happened around 4:30 outside the gate of the Eagle’s Landing Country Club. T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, was charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness but was released on a $2,250 bond.
His lawyer released a statement telling his side of the story. Attorney Steve Sadow said T.I. should not have been arrested. In a statement to 11Alive he wrote, “Tip was wrongfully arrested early this morning when he attempted to gain entrance into his gated community - where his wife “Tiny” and his family reside."
Sadow said the guard at the gate was asleep when T.I. arrived.
“It took Tip some time to wake up the sleeping guard. Tip clearly identified himself and sought entry. The guard refused entry.”
He also said T.I.’s wife, Tameka “Tiny” Harris was on the phone with him and told the guard to let them in. Tameka is listed as the owner of the mansion in that subdivision.
PHOTOS: T.I. and Tiny
“The guard continued to refuse entry without justification. Words were exchanged and apparently the guard and/or a supervisor called the police.”
Sadow said police “were not interested in hearing” his client’s side of the story and arrested him.
Aside from being a rapper and actor, T.I. is also an activist involved in local and national social issues. Last year he used his star power to fuel a boycott of Houston's Restaurant after allegations of racial discrimination surfaced.
Earlier this year, he sat down with 11Alive's Neima Abdulahi to discuss school walkouts and gun violence after the Parkland high school shooting in Florida.
PHOTOS: ATL rapper T.I.
At the time, he said seeing young people involved gives him hope.
"To see young people involved with something so important right now – that gives a sense of hope," T.I. said. "The kids – they are going to be the future leaders. So, whatever they're concerned about right now, those are the things that stand the most opportunity for change. Those are the things that 10 years from now, when they are not high school students; they are young lawyers, and they are lobbying and protesting and so on, and so forth – I think that is what we need. I think that is what the future of America is longing for: Young people who actually care about things that matter."
