JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process: Christian: I turned myself in. I walked right in the front
door. I was on the run for a year from my
probation officer. I was on probation for 3
counts of criminal non support (for not paying
child support). Claire: Pre sentencing is the hardest part because you
are just waiting for a court date. As you wait
for your court date, you are normally in there
for a minimum of 30days and sometimes even
longer. I was in there for 90 days before I
actually seen a judge for sentencing.
JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested. Christian: I turned myself in. When I turned myself in, they
tried to tell me to turn myself in another day. I
told them they had to take me now because
otherwise I would go back on the run. Claire: Yes, they surrounded my house for a probation
Violation, they forcibly came into my home with
dogs, guns pulled and about 5-7 undercover cars
outside of my home. It was very scary for my
family. My mother was crying, my younger siblings
were in a state of distress and I couldn't
believe that it was actually happening!!
JM: What was court like? Please give as many details as you recall. Christian: Court was easy, it was a cake walk. There were
all these other people that were getting huge
sentences. I was sure the judge was going to
throw the book at me. I was sentenced to 1 year. Claire: it was very intimidating. you are shackled at the
ankles and then handcuffed to another inmate, you
all walk together like the chain game while being
escorted by a few correctional officers. The
process takes about 20 minutes to get everyone
situated and ready for transportation. I remember
my ankles hurting from the shackles.
JM: What were your original charges? What did you end up being convicted of? Christian: My original charge was criminal non-support and
that is what I was convicted of. Claire: My first Original Charges were delivering,
manufacturing, and distribution of a controlled
substance and escape from custody and then in
2009 I was arrested again for possession of a
controlled substance and escape from custody
again, and I was charged with all of the above.