Gregory M. Rose
Hello All:
My name is Gregory M. Rose, #12453-052, I reside in Pollock, LA, USP (United States Penitentiary) and I write with hope and dire urgency. In 2004, I was sentenced to 1081 months or 90 years in Federal prison for driving the getaway car in a string of bank robberies that were committed in New York State. At the time of these crimes I was 20 years old, attending college, and had a minimal criminal history. I received 8 years for the robbery offenses and 82 years for the gun that was involved in the individual robberies (although I didn’t carry it).
After this series of terrible mistakes, I found myself in a jail cell as a First Time Offender facing the rest of my life in prison due to a carelessly drafted Federal Statue called 18 U.S.C. 924(c). The statute reads that whoever possesses a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence is subjected to a penalty of five years to run consecutively to the underlying offense, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction the penalty is more severe, with a 25-tear mandatory minimum.
The problem lies with the second part of the statute, the subsequent conviction portion. District courts across the country have been using this second and subsequent conviction section of 924(c) to apply to First Time Offenders, thereby giving some young kids what effectively are life sentences for poor choices. Not to take away from the severity of the offenses, but there have been a number of outspoken judges, prosecutors, Congressional Representatives, and even the U. S. Sentencing Commission have recommended a different application, more in tune with Congressional intent when the statue was written. This penalty and statute were written to apply specifically for recidivist offenders, for people who fail to learn their lesson after serving time in prison for carrying firearms to commit crimes. We have found that most judges are very reluctant to issue the sentence, stating that it is inappropriate and disproportionate to the crimes committed; however they have no choice in the matter.
Obviously, I agree, and would pray that you can see the injustice of having someone like myself who is very capable of becoming a productive member of society if released from serving the rest of my life in prison for these offenses that were committed when I was a kid. It has been 11 years now, and I ask for you to look into this situation and consider supporting the bill that Rep. Bobby Scott has proposed to revise the 924(c) “Stacking Provision.” There is no doubt that the punishment was necessary, but 90 years would makeme110 years old upon release (if I lived that long) and I don’t think that’s the purpose or intent of our criminal justice system. This country is built around second chances, and the ability to change. I ask that you help this movement, MERCY ME 924(c) and join us in rectifying something that is wrong and allow us a second chance at life.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and support in this matter!
Sincerely,
Gregory M. Rose
My name is Gregory M. Rose, #12453-052, I reside in Pollock, LA, USP (United States Penitentiary) and I write with hope and dire urgency. In 2004, I was sentenced to 1081 months or 90 years in Federal prison for driving the getaway car in a string of bank robberies that were committed in New York State. At the time of these crimes I was 20 years old, attending college, and had a minimal criminal history. I received 8 years for the robbery offenses and 82 years for the gun that was involved in the individual robberies (although I didn’t carry it).
After this series of terrible mistakes, I found myself in a jail cell as a First Time Offender facing the rest of my life in prison due to a carelessly drafted Federal Statue called 18 U.S.C. 924(c). The statute reads that whoever possesses a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence is subjected to a penalty of five years to run consecutively to the underlying offense, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction the penalty is more severe, with a 25-tear mandatory minimum.
The problem lies with the second part of the statute, the subsequent conviction portion. District courts across the country have been using this second and subsequent conviction section of 924(c) to apply to First Time Offenders, thereby giving some young kids what effectively are life sentences for poor choices. Not to take away from the severity of the offenses, but there have been a number of outspoken judges, prosecutors, Congressional Representatives, and even the U. S. Sentencing Commission have recommended a different application, more in tune with Congressional intent when the statue was written. This penalty and statute were written to apply specifically for recidivist offenders, for people who fail to learn their lesson after serving time in prison for carrying firearms to commit crimes. We have found that most judges are very reluctant to issue the sentence, stating that it is inappropriate and disproportionate to the crimes committed; however they have no choice in the matter.
Obviously, I agree, and would pray that you can see the injustice of having someone like myself who is very capable of becoming a productive member of society if released from serving the rest of my life in prison for these offenses that were committed when I was a kid. It has been 11 years now, and I ask for you to look into this situation and consider supporting the bill that Rep. Bobby Scott has proposed to revise the 924(c) “Stacking Provision.” There is no doubt that the punishment was necessary, but 90 years would makeme110 years old upon release (if I lived that long) and I don’t think that’s the purpose or intent of our criminal justice system. This country is built around second chances, and the ability to change. I ask that you help this movement, MERCY ME 924(c) and join us in rectifying something that is wrong and allow us a second chance at life.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and support in this matter!
Sincerely,
Gregory M. Rose
