A federal judge on Friday accepted a plea bargain that tied her hands in sentencing and imposed a 2½ -year prison term on Mobile-born rapper, HoneyKomb Brazy.

Brazy, whose real name is Nashon Terral Itez Jones, pleaded guilty in July to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The gun wasn’t his, but it was within reach when law enforcement officers pulled over the vehicle he was riding in on Interstate 65 in Creola in December 2023.

Federal prosecutors and Jones’ attorney negotiated a type of plea agreement that restricted the judge’s discretion on sentencing – as long as she accepted the deal, itself. Under advisory sentencing guidelines, Jones faced at least five years and 10 months in prison.

U.S. District Judge Kristi DuBose said she delayed ruling on that issue until she had a chance to review the defendant’s background. That review led her, ultimately, to conclude that it was a “fair resolution to this case.”

But DuBose said she was troubled by Jones’ criminal record, which includes a conviction on a first-degree assault charge involving a shooting. Noting his music career, DuBose urged him to use his influence to end a street war that is killing people.

“You have such an ability to change that,” she said.

Jones, 29, said he wants to put his violent past behind him.

“I wanted to be a great man,” he said. “I just didn’t know how. … I really want to do right.”

The two men who were riding with Jones were providing security, but both later admitted that that were prohibited from having guns. Defense attorney Josh Briskman told FOX10 News that the bodyguards were a precaution against the constant threats of violence that his client has faced. He noted that the defendant’s grandparents died in 2021 when gunmen fired into their home and sparked an explosion.

“There’s no doubt Mr. Jones needed security,” he said. “He has been the target of violence. His family has been the target of violence. His grandparents were actually killed. And he had people that were there to protect him, and they were hired by third parties. But it turned out they were unable to lawfully carry the firearms, also.”

Inside the courtroom, Briskman told the judge that his client wants to be “a positive voice for children like him” and said his client has carried that message to the Boys & Girls Club and other appearances.

“He’s a rising star, your honor,” he said. “He has a lot to offer society.”

DuBose said she presided over the federal drug conspiracy case involving Darrin Jamark “DD” Southhall, who also is charged with murder in the death of Jones’ grandparents.

“I’m not ignorant of what was going on,” she said.

But the judge urged Jones to reject retribution and follow the path of Martin Luther King Jr.

Jones will get credit for the time he spent locked up since December 2023. After his sentence, the judge ordered, he will be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for three years.

“If you mess up and come back, there will not be this type of sentence,” she said. S: Fox 10