It’s been a long time coming, but it’s still hard to imagine the day is finally here. Lil Wayne will be in a New York City court this morning (February 9) to be formally sentenced by a Manhattan judge. In accordance with a plea deal he reached with prosecutors, Wayne is expected to receive one year in prison.

The sentencing stems from a gun possession case following a July 2007 arrest in New York. However, Wayne didn’t reach the plea deal, which allowed him to plead guilty to a reduced charge of attempted gun possession, until October of last year. He was initially facing up to 15 years in prison.

The jail sentence was not expected by Wayne or anyone in the Cash Money camp, as in most other states the charge would have lead to a fine and probation. But New York has very stringent laws on gun possession. The facts that the firearm was not actually found on Wayne’s person, and was registered to his manager, Cortez Bryant, were not enough to get the case dismissed.

While discussing the case with MTV, defense attorney Scott Leemon, who has represented rapper Tony Yayo in the past said, “Basically, the old law [prior to Governor George Pataki's tenure] required someone to have a loaded weapon and intend to use it [before] the mandatory minimum would kick in…what they did is they took that out of the law. So the mere possession of a loaded weapon in New York State is a felony.”

Known for his work ethic, Wayne has been hard at work recording new songs and taping music videos for the past few weeks leading up to today. His upcoming album, Tha Carter IV, will likely be released after the Cash Money rapper is released from prison.

Wayne also faces drug and gun charges in Arizona following a January 2008 arrest by DEA agents. The trial for that case is scheduled to begin on March 30.

Via Yo! Raps