Rapper T. I. is expected to plead guilty Thursday to federal weapons charges stemming from an October arrest; he faces prison time, according to media reports.

The Associated Press reports that rapper T. I., real name Clifford Harris, is expected to plead guilty today to federal weapons charges. He could be sentenced to 1,500 hours of community service, followed by about 12 months in prison, two persons familiar with the negotiations told the AP on condition of anonymity.

T. I.’s prison time could be increased or reduced, depending on his fulfillment of the terms of the deal and good behavior, the two sources added.

The 27-year-old’s community service would consist in talking to youth groups around the country about risks they are facing when bringing guns, gangs and drugs in their lives, reports the wire agency.

T. I. was arrested last October after one of his bodyguards allegedly tried to purchase unregistered firearms from an undercover ATF agent. He was arrested and agreed to cooperate with agents and lead them to T. I.

Agents of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrested T. I. in an Atlanta parking lot on charges of illegal possession of unregistered machine guns and silencers, as well as possession of firearms by a convicted felon, just hours before he was scheduled to perform at the BET Hip Hop Awards.

He has a history of illegal activity and was convicted of a violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act in 1998 and given seven years probation, the Department of Justice said. It is illegal for convicted felons to have someone else purchase firearms on their behalf.

Authorities said the bodyguard admitted to purchasing firearms for the rapper and for members of his entourage in the past.

The U.S. Attorney in Atlanta announced a change-of-plea hearing was scheduled Thursday afternoon at the federal courthouse, the AP reports. Prosecution officials were expected to speak to the media after the hearing. U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell Jr. must approve the deal.

T. I. faced a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.