The First Step Act would have prevented this horrible burden upon my family members who never committed a crime.
I was tried in Los Angeles, but post-conviction, was transferred to FCI Big Springs in Texas, despite Judge Percy Anderson’s acknowledgment at sentencing of my request to remain in California during my incarceration. The Judge even referenced Victorville as one of the best choices because my fiancé, Darlene Buenrostro, lives only 30 minutes from Victorville, California. Being sent to Texas was a horrible hardship on my entire family who never committed a crime, plus a financial burden for Darlene, and my mother, Terry. My grandmother, Helen, passed away last October without ever visiting me because she lived in Oregon.
I have never had a single incident report throughout my incarceration and every 6 months requested a transfer from the time I arrived in Texas. In 2016, I was designated to La Tuna in El Paso, Texas. Each time Darlene visits, it costs approximately $800. Because I am camp eligible and slated to take the RDAP program, I requested a transfer to Lompoc, California. Finally, my transfer was approved, but instead of going to Lompoc, I’ve been designated to go even farther, to Florence, Colorado. Darlene will now have to fly to Denver, then drive two hours to Florence, all alone, which is unthinkable during hazardous winter conditions.
The First Step Act would have prevented this horrible burden upon my family members who never committed a crime because it would have kept me within a 500 mile radius of home. If the First Step Act passes, the good time credits I’ll earn, (in addition to the one year reduction I will receive after completing the RDAP program) should put me out the door. Please pass the First Step Act so Darlene and I can get married and move on with our lives; the sooner, the better. Let the healing begin.
To learn more about Aaron Sandusky’s case, go to www.candoclemency.com/aaron-sandusky-10-years-for-marijuana/
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