Rapper Ja Rule pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon in a New York courtroom on Monday morning. He is expected to receive a two-year sentence that will likely see him serving 16 months in prison, followed by a year and a half of post-prison supervision.

The charge stems from a July 2007 search of a car in which the rapper was traveling — police say they found a loaded .40-caliber Taurus pistol in the car after they'd stopped it for speeding. Rule and two other men were charged.

Photos: Random Notes

The arrest took place on the same night that Lil Wayne was arrested on the gun-possession charge that sent him to jail earlier this year; Ja had joined Wayne onstage at New York's Beacon Theater earlier that night.

Rule will remain free until he is sentenced on a date to be determined. As he left the court, Ja Rule told reporters, "This isn't a good day," though he later tweeted, "Minor setback for a Major comeback!!!"

Rapper Ja Rule pleads guilty in NY weapon case [The Associated Press via Consequence of Sound]

Ja Rule To Serve Two Years In Prison On Gun Charges [MTV News]

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