Sharanda
Jones grew up in poverty in the small rural town of Terrell, Texas.
Her mother was paraplegic as the result of a horrific car accident that
occurred when Sharanda was only 3 years old. Due to her mother's severe
health condition, Sharanda was forced at a young age to take on a
motherly role to help take care of her younger siblings. Life was very
difficult financially. In an attempt to overcome the hardships that
accompany poverty, Sharanda made a wrong choice and began dealing drugs
out of desperation to be able to sufficiently support herself and her
family.
In June of 1999, Sharanda, along with two other individuals, were charged in a 7-count superseding indictment. The 7-count superseding indictment charged Sharanda with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine) and 6 counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine) and aiding and abetting. In August of 1999, Sharanda was found guilty by a jury in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas of only the conspiracy count and acquitted of all of the remaining 6 counts.
During trial, no producible amount of drugs was presented against Sharanda. There was no evidence of any controlled buys of drugs from Sharanda. No photographs of Sharanda. No drugs found to be in Sharanda's possession. Sharanda was convicted based primarily on co-conspirator testimony. A majority of the testimony came from two individuals, who were both arrested on drug charges and pled guilty over 1-year prior to Sharanda's initial indictment. These two individuals agreed to become confidential informants for the government in exchange for lessor sentences. After their testimony against Sharanda, these two individuals were sentenced to only 7-8 years in prison. Additionally, another co-conspirator testified against Sharanda that he was her supplier and supplied her with drugs. The supplier's sentence was also reduced in exchange for his testimony against Sharanda and he was eventually sentenced to 19 years in prison. All 3 co-conspirators mentioned have been released from prison.
Sharanda was granted clemency after 15 years. Her 8 year old is now 23. Sharanda missed her graduation. She doesn't deny what she did was wrong. And seems to have learned her lesson. I believe her.
In June of 1999, Sharanda, along with two other individuals, were charged in a 7-count superseding indictment. The 7-count superseding indictment charged Sharanda with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine) and 6 counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine) and aiding and abetting. In August of 1999, Sharanda was found guilty by a jury in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas of only the conspiracy count and acquitted of all of the remaining 6 counts.
During trial, no producible amount of drugs was presented against Sharanda. There was no evidence of any controlled buys of drugs from Sharanda. No photographs of Sharanda. No drugs found to be in Sharanda's possession. Sharanda was convicted based primarily on co-conspirator testimony. A majority of the testimony came from two individuals, who were both arrested on drug charges and pled guilty over 1-year prior to Sharanda's initial indictment. These two individuals agreed to become confidential informants for the government in exchange for lessor sentences. After their testimony against Sharanda, these two individuals were sentenced to only 7-8 years in prison. Additionally, another co-conspirator testified against Sharanda that he was her supplier and supplied her with drugs. The supplier's sentence was also reduced in exchange for his testimony against Sharanda and he was eventually sentenced to 19 years in prison. All 3 co-conspirators mentioned have been released from prison.
Sharanda was granted clemency after 15 years. Her 8 year old is now 23. Sharanda missed her graduation. She doesn't deny what she did was wrong. And seems to have learned her lesson. I believe her.
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