With this website I hope to start a grassroots campaign that will put a stop to the draconian Minimum Mandatory Sentencing Laws in the US for marijuana smuggling. Did you know the law in the U.S. puts many people such as me in Federal Prison to serve LWOP – Life Without Parole (sometimes referred to as a “living death” or “pine box” sentence, since the offender is strictly ineligible for release while alive) for marijuana smuggling? That’s right, LWOP for smuggling marijuana.

I was indicted in 1987 for importing and distributing marijuana. After a three month trial in the state of Illinois, I was found guilty of 21 U.S.C. § 848, running a CCE (Continuing Criminal Enterprise). This enterprise imported and distributed large amounts of marijuana throughout the United States. Should I have been punished for committing this crime? The answer is yes, without question. Yet the sentencing laws do not fit the crime, especially for a 1st time, non-violent offense.

I think we all have the potential for greatness, yet we also have our faults. My biggest fault at the time was I let my ego lead me in the wrong direction.

When I was indicted, my daughter was 7 years old and my son 7 days old. Besides being a husband, father, son and brother at the time, I was trying to become a successful race car driver.

Once we understand that our experiences and conditions of our personal life are affected by our thoughts, our lives will change.

I have paid my debt to society through my incarceration and know how wrong my crime was.

I will continue to write from time to time. My hope is with your support and participation we can bring attention to my case and those who share the same fate. Together we can create a positive awareness to bring about the change needed.

Be well. Peace & Love,
Randy