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Stephen

Cooper

My case is fairly common these days. I'm a first-time, nonviolent offender with absolutely no criminal history. I was a small business owner for nine years and in the same occupation for twenty years. I have a 13-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old step-daughter.

I was not able to take advantage of the "safety-valve" provision of the 1994 Crime Bill because I had been sentenced before it was passed. I did receive, however, a 13 year, 8 month sentence for a conspiracy where the only drugs seized was from the leader who testified against me and others. His threatened sentence was 37 years, but after his cooperative testimony, he was sentenced to 4 years.

First-time, nonviolent offenders in the Federal system are serving more time than 2nd degree murderers from my home state of Iowa. The average time they spend behind bars is 10 to 12 years. 

 

First Christmas
without dad at home.

 

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