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 Jeff and his dad |
I was sentenced in 1994 to 17 1/2 years for a cocaine drug law violation. I am a first-time, nonviolent offender. My younger brother, Greg was sentenced to 70 months (5.83 years) for the same. The prosecution threatened to give Greg the same sentence unless he testified against me. I couldn't see both of us incarcerated for almost two decades - our father is elderly and handicapped and to be separated from both his sons for the remainder of his life was no option. I insisted that Greg testify against me.
My assets were forfeited to the government without notice and I was never informed that I could contest the seizures. At sentencing the amount of cocaine I was charged with possessing was far in excess of what was revealed at trial - 4 years of prison was added to my time - a purposeful "error".
I now work with an institution-based program that attempts to show school kids that prison is bad news. I'd always hoped to have a family but that chance for me is lost.
My father visits, but it is a five and half hour drive that is difficult for him to make. He lives on a fixed income but makes the sacrifice to spend a day with me when he can.
4/30/01 - A note from Jeff: I'm so happy I insisted that my brother testify against me. This is a point I really want pressed: My brother is NOT a snitch; he simply did as I asked him. If I don't have a problem with it, than no one else should.
Jeff with his dad, stepmother, and brother GregJeff Spaeni 03729-090
FPC Duluth
PO Box 1000
Duluth, MN 55814Updated 1/10/05
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