NO ONE SHOULD BE IN PRISON FOR A PLANT
Thousands of individuals are in federal prison for nonviolent cannabis offenses.
Before he leaves office in January 2025, President Biden has the power to release them all with the stroke of his pen - as he pledged to during his 2020 campaign. There’s still time. Let’s make good on the promise of justice.
#BidensLastChance
Add your voice to the thousands who have signed this letter calling on President Biden to end cannabis incarceration!
FACES OF CLEMENCY
Jerry Austin
Total Sentence: 200 months (16.7 years)
Convicted Crime: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana.
Jerry Austin is serving a 200-month sentence imposed in 2017 for a single count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of cannabis. His conviction was based on him taking responsibility for his conduct and acknowledging that he was involved with a drug trafficking organization. For the past six years, Jerry has spent much of his time reflecting on his past mistakes, missing his sons, and working towards rehabilitation. Jerry’s case represents important issues of excessive sentencing relating to cannabis and federalism. Jerry’s circumstances present an excellent case for the principled use of clemency.
Frederick Britton
Total Sentence: 10 years
Convicted Crime: Distribution of Marijuana
Frederick Britton is serving a mandatory 10-year sentence for distribution of marijuana. Prior to his sentencing, Frederick attended and played football at the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM). After his brother was killed in Iraq in 2005, Frederick withdrew from ULM to support his family. Frederick nearly met the requirements for a “safety valve” provision that would have dictated sentencing start at one year, rather than 10. Since Frederick’s sentencing, various changes in federal law and policy would recommend a sentence less than what Frederick has already served.
Parker Antron Coleman
Total Sentence: 60 years
Convicted Crime: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; conspiracy to engage in money laundering; possession of firearm by felon; possession of firearm in furtherance of drug crime.
Parker Coleman is serving a 60 year sentence imposed in 2014 for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; conspiracy to engage in money laundering; possession of firearm by felon; and possession of firearm in furtherance of drug crime. Although sentenced in 2014, Mr. Coleman has been in federal custody since 2010. Mr. Coleman was subject to Sec. 924 "stacking" and harsh mandatory minimums. If he were sentenced today, due to the First Step Act and other legislative and enforcement changes, Mr. Coleman would be subject to less than half of the time he is currently serving.
Jerry Haymon IV
Total Sentence: 10 years
Convicted Crime: Drug distribution conspiracy.
Jerry Haymon IV is a 30-year-old Black man from Clovis, California, who received a mandatory 10-year sentence for a drug distribution conspiracy where packages of marijuana were shipped from California to Virginia. Jerry had been a football star out of Clovis High School, who went on to play defensive back in college, where he was majoring in economics (and even made the Dean's List one semester). Prior to his arrest in 2019, Jerry was looking to try out for professional football. At sentencing, the trial judge regretfully noted that his hands were tied by federal mandatory minimum prison terms for marijuana.
Daniel Buckley Muessig
Total Sentence: 60 month
Convicted Crime: Conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
Daniel Muessig is serving a 60 month sentence imposed in 2022 for conspiracy to traffic marijuana. His conviction was based on the operation of a marijuana business which is medically legal under Pennsylvania's marijuana laws. This case represents important issues of federalism and federal over-reach relating to marijuana prosecutions.
Danny Rodriguez
Total Sentence: 33 years
Convicted Crime: Non-violent synthetic cannabis and money laundering charge
Danny Rodriguez was sentenced to a 33-year term for a non-violent synthetic cannabis and money laundering charge. Convicted in 2018, Danny's sentence was disproportionately severe compared to his co-defendant, who received only probation. Danny had already served 12 years longer than he should have for a prior offense as a result of an unconstitutional ruling that was later corrected by the Supreme Court. Danny has been an exemplary inmate during incarceration, and his path toward redemption is evident by over 1,000 individuals who have signed a petition calling for his release. Danny's nonviolent case is compelling for clemency, and he has nowhere else to turn for relief other than the Presidential commutation power.
Edwin Walter Rubis
Total Sentence: 480 months (40 years)
Convicted Crime: Conspiracy to possess marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute marijuana (12 counts).
Edwin Rubis is serving a 240-month sentence imposed in 1999 for conspiracy to possess and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. His conviction was based on the testimony of co-defendants in a drug trafficking organization who named their past co-conspirators to reduce their own sentences. Since his conviction, the state of Texas has decriminalized medicinal use of hemp and several counties and cities therein have implemented further cannabis decriminalization policy initiatives. Edwin's case represents important issues of excessive sentencing relating to cannabis and federalism. Despite these issues related to his conviction, Edwin has been a model prisoner for the past 22 years that he has spent serving his sentence. Edwin's circumstances present an excellent case for the principled use of clemency.
Daniel Dario Travino
Total Sentence: 16 years
Convicted Crime: Conspiracy to manufacture with intent to distribute marijuana.
Daniel Travino is serving a nearly 16-year sentence imposed in 2020 for conspiracy to manufacture with intent to distribute marijuana and several other cannabis charges. Mr. Trevino owned and operated medical cannabis stores in Michigan after the state legalized medicinal cannabis in 2008, but was not in compliance with state regulations. Today, those who are not in compliance with state regulations face fines and discipline from the regulatory board, not imprisonment. Mr. Trevino was well known in his community as a person who bridged access to healthcare. Further, due to Michigan becoming an adult-use cannabis state, Mr. Trevino today would not be barred from owning his prior retail establishments.
Jose Ramon Valero Jr.
Total Sentence: 7 Years
Convicted Crime: Conspiracy to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime.
Jose Valero Jr. is serving a 7 year sentence imposed in 2022 for conspiracy to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. Mr. Valero Jr. pleaded guilty and has taken responsibility for these crimes. Between his arrest in 2020 and sentencing in 2022 the District Court judge granted Mr. Valero Jr. supervised release. During these nearly two years Mr. Valero Jr. turned his life around, holding a steady job and providing for his young children and found mentors to guide his decisions. Further, his case represents an important issue highlighting the conflictions of local ordinances, state law, and federal law. He was a nonviolent cannabis offender.
Joseph Akers
Total Sentence: 16 years
Convicted Crime: Conspiracy to distribute marijuana and money laundering
Joseph Akers is a first-time offender who is expected to be released on May 8, 2030, after being sentenced in July of 2018. Joseph's conviction for conspiring to distribute marijuana and money laundering contrast with the over a dozen localities in Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, that have decriminalized marijuana. Joseph has been a model inmate, taking over 50 educational and self-improvement cases, intends to secure employment, and has a strong network of family and friends to support him upon his release.
Ismael Lira
Total Sentence: Life imprisonment
Convicted Crime:
Ismael Lira is serving a life sentence for marijuana offenses, money laundering, and continuing criminal enterprise. Although Ismael was not viewed as the “leader” of his drug conspiracy, his sentence was the most extreme. Due to prior infractions in his youth, Isamel's sentence was upgraded. Ismael has participated in thousands of hours of community service and office management courses, and has a job offer at Chase Excavating and Oil Field Services in North Dakota upon his release.
Daniel Longoria
Total Sentence: 20 years
Convicted Crime: Conspiracy to distribute 200-400 kilos of marijuana
Daniel Longoria has been incarcerated since August 19, 2015, with an expected release date of February 6, 2040. Daniel, who is recovering from right kidney cancer, is seeking clemency to reunite with his four children, two grandchildren, and elderly mother, who has suffered from significant emotional loss during Daniel’s incarceration with the deaths of her husband and daughter from COVID-19. Upon release, Daniel intends to use his experience as a spiritual guide while incarcerated to rejoin the faith community and use his skills as a mechanic and machinist to find employment.
Pedro Moreno
Total Sentence: Life sentence
Convicted Crime: Conspiracy to distribute marijuana and money laundering.
Pedro Moreno is a 63-year-old first-time offender who has served over 27 years of a life sentence for conspiracy to distribute marijuana and money laundering. Pedro was convicted in Texas in 1996 alongside his four brothers, who were all charged with the same indictment. Pedro’s brothers were all granted clemency by President Obama in 2016, and Pedro’s co-defendant was released under compassionate release in 2021, leaving Pedro as the only offender still incarcerated despite his lack of criminal history and exemplary conduct while incarcerated. Pedro pled guilty under legal advice that he would face a maximum of 20 years, a term of which he has already served. Clemency is appropriate for Pedro as all other co-conspirators have been released for the same conduct.
Frank Rogers
Total Sentence: 18+ years (220 months)
Convicted Crime: Marijuana distribution
Frank Rogers pled guilty for a marijuana distribution conspiracy offense in 2013 and is not expected to be released until 2030. At sentencing, Frank should have only been eligible for a sentence of 6-10 years, but at the last minute of his plea, prosecutors filed a penalty enhancement based on New York state law. Although Frank's prior convictions occurred while he was 17, and should have been excluded in the calculation of the sentencing for this current offense, they were ultimately included and led to a far harsher sentence. Frank's sentence for marijuana distribution is unusually severe compared to others similarly situated and clemency would be in the interest of fairness and justice.
Michael Woods
Total Sentence: Life imprisonment
Convicted Crime:
Michael Woods is currently serving a life sentence for non-violent marijuana-related offenses. In 2009, he was one of nearly three dozen individuals charged with a drug trafficking conspiracy. Life imprisonment for drug offenses is becoming increasingly rare, currently representing only 0.02 percent of the total offender population. Life imprisonment should be reserved for the worst of the worst crimes, not for non-violent drug offenses. Michael is a Canadian citizen, and upon his release would be deported to Canada where he has a job and home waiting for him.