Just moments after a Northern Georgia District judge sentenced [artist id="1225081"]T.I.[/artist] to [article id="1607943"]one year and one day in prison[/article] on Friday (March 27) for felony weapons charges stemming from his October 2007 arrest on the eve of the BET Hip-Hop Awards, the rapper talked about his sentence at a press conference.

"It brings me great pleasure and honor to say to you today that I have begun to close this chapter in my life with, of course, the help and blessings of the U.S. attorneys and the courts of the U.S. government."

He continued to the crowd of assembled media, "I would like to thank all who have helped me throughout my journeys, along my journey, including my attorneys, all of the foundations and all of the organizations who have helped me align myself with people who see to it that I seek out my wishes and intentions to the best of my ability."

Although T.I. maintained a positive message throughout the press conference and seemed genuinely satisfied with the outcome, he did address the fact that he will be in jail for the next year and a day.

"Although I am not thrilled about my next year and a day, I am pleased that I am beginning the process of putting this all behind me. Thank you and I apologize to my family, to the young men, young women that I mentor. I hope that I can keep at least one, if not a million or more, from going down a similar path. I just want to say thank you."

MTV News will have more from T.I. today and throughout the weekend, including Sway's exclusive interview with the rapper. Don't miss "T.I.'s Road to Redemption: The Reckoning," airing Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.