Ja Rule - Ja Rule To Receive Two Years Behind Bars For Gun Charge

The Always On Time star was hit with a count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon after his chauffeured sports car was pulled over by New York police in 2007 on suspicion of speeding, having a suspended registration and no insurance.

A search of the vehicle allegedly turned up a semi-automatic gun hidden in the rear driver's side door.

Ja Rule's lawyer, Stacey Richman, lost a bid to have the charge thrown out in January (10), arguing the police stop which led to his arrest was unjustified.

But the rapper, real name Jeffrey Atkins, reached a deal with prosecutors over the charge and he appeared in a Manhattan court on Monday (13Dec10) to enter the plea.

As per the terms of the agreement, Ja Rule will remain free until he is officially sentenced to a two-year prison term in February (11).

The hip-hop star is next due in court for an update on 9 February (11).

And Ja Rule is content with the outcome of Monday's (13Dec10) hearing.

Taking to his Twitter.com blog after his court appearance, he wrote, "Minor setback for a major comeback."