Court docs shed light on rapper T.I.'s warrant; Officials dismiss case, call for change

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Newly obtained court documents reveal details of the charges filed in Baltimore that landed Rapper T.I. in custody.

Reports across the globe indicated this was a case of mistaken identity.

But now the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office confirms a woman filed charges against the rapper as well as his wife and says the case highlights flaws in the State’s system.

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On Sunday the 43-year-old was taken into custody at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Authorities there informed T.I. of a warrant for his arrest out of Baltimore, Maryland.

The rapper was released hours later after officials reviewed the rapper’s travel itinerary during the time of the alleged incident, according to the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office.

Online ads show T.I. had a listed concert in the area June 6.

FOX45 News obtained a copy of the statement of charges.

The charges listed include first and degree assault, conspiracy to commit second degree assault and two handgun related charges.

On the document the defendant is listed as Clifford Joseph Harris, born September 25, 1980: the same name and date of birth as T.I. The defendant’s listed address is 202 Pratt Street, the downtown Baltimore Renaissance Hotel.

The woman wrote in part on June 4th, “I was hit and beat up, punched, stalked and harrassed,” and “Clifford pointed a gun at me.”

The State’s Attorney's Office confirms the complainant filed the charges directly with the Baltimore City District Court Commissioner, who then issued a warrant for Harris’s arrest.

A spokesperson released a statement writing,

“Criminal charges were filed by a civilian against Mr. Clifford “T.I.” Harris before a District Court Commissioner in Baltimore City. The court commissioner issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Harris, leading to his detention in Georgia. With very few exceptions, the State’s Attorney does not have input when a civilian applies for charges before the court commissioner. Once this office reviewed the case and based on Mr. Harris’ travel itinerary during the time of the alleged incident, the State filed a Motion to Recall the warrant. Further investigation revealed that similar charges were filed by the same civilian against Mrs. Tameka “Tiny” Harris. The State filed a motion for a Nolle Prosequi on all charges in both cases yesterday. Upon the State’s motions, the District Court recalled the warrant this morning, and the cases were dismissed. This case highlights a concern that the State’s Attorney has raised previously and uncovers legislative changes that should be considered to ensure fair and appropriate use of the court commissioner’s office, including allowing input from our prosecutors before an arrest warrant is issued. We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the issuance of charges and the warrant in this case.”

Local Attorney Kurt Nachtman weighed in on the case and agreed the system is flawed.

“It appears in this situation yet again a citizen has had a warrant sworn out against them without any sort of review from a prosecutor’s office which obviously happens when police go and swear out charges but the last three state’s attorney’s Ivan Bates, Marilyn Mosby and her predecessor Gregg Bernstein have all tried to prevent this type of thing from happening by asking that the court commissioner not issue warrants on citizen cases,” Nachtman said.

Nachtman continued, “Under Maryland law court commissioners can issue warrants. They can issue warrants in situations where police ask for charges and warrants to be issued. They can also issue warrants based on a citizen going out and swearing out charges against another citizen. Obviously if you’re familiar with the court system, if you’re familiar with how the warrant process works its a system that is rife for abuse. I can say at my firm we’ve represented dozens and dozens and dozens of individuals who have had false or slanderous allegations sworn out against them, they’re left with very little recourse.”

Earlier this year, Delegate Jackie Addison introduced legislation that would prohibit a district court commissioner from issuing an arrest warrant to an individual other than a police officer or a State’s Attorney and increase the penalty for making a certain false statement or report.

In response to T.I.’s arrest Delegate Jackie Addison wrote,

“This is exactly what my bill was trying to prevent. SA Bates and other advocates testified on this legislation however it didn't make it out of committee. I plan to reintroduce the bill in the 2025 session.”