Federal authorities charged Brett with federal crimes. Since he had worked for several years as a police officer, the criminal charges derailed his life. He decided to cooperate with authorities in exchange for leniency at sentencing. Brett talks about how he has rebounded with a new career since being dismissed from the police force.
Luis Rivera succeeded in being released from federal prison, even though a judge sentenced him to serve a life sentence plus 140 years. Learn how his adjustment in prison contributed to his early release and his success.
A federal judge sentenced Luis Rivera to life in prison, plus 140 years. In Part 2 of Luis's story, we learn how Luis adjusted in a high-security federal prison and we learn how he positioned himself for early release from federal prison.
In 1995, a federal judge sentenced Luis Rivera to a term of life in prison, plus 140 years. In this episode on Earning Freedom, Luis describes his early adjustment. From his appearance on the Earning Freedom podcast, we know that Luis was released from prison and he now lives as law abiding citizen. Learn how he got out after 30 years in prison.
Derek Sauceda began using drugs when he was 10. His drug addictions led him into crime. His crime led him into a series of prison terms that kept him locked in cages for more than 24 years. Now he is a successful case manager with Fathers and Families of San Joaquin Valley. From Derek's story we see that a path exists to overcome struggle.
Big D was drawn to the streets as a young man. He looked up to drug dealers and gangsters. Authorities arrested Big D and after his trial, he was sentenced to a term that required him to serve more than 20 years in Pennsylvania prisons. Big D said that he wasted his first 10 years of confinement. Instead of adjusting positively, he lived in prison just as he had been living on the streets. He used drugs and he was engaged in violence. In today's Earning Freedom episode, Big D talks about how he changed.
Today I spoke with Billie Gomez, a man who shared a story about his transformation. Billie spoke about growing up in a violent neighborhood and being influenced by gangs. By the time he was 18, he went to prison with a five year sentence. His adjustment in prison led to his receiving additional time. Upon his release from prison, Billie reverted to criminal behavior. Billie picked up a gun within two weeks of being released, and he used the gun to commit more crimes. That behavior led to his receiving a new 18-year sentence for a violent offense. Listen to Billie talk about how he reformed while in prison. He returned to society with a commitment to live as a law-abiding, contributing citizen.
Contact Billie by email: BillieGomez71@gmail.com
Website: www.fromignorance2freedom.com
Lessons that powered me through 26 years of imprisonment apply to anyone. In today's podcast, I share those strategies with the sales force at Resort Advisory Group.
Today's episode on Earning Freedom features an interview with Jeff Mould, founder of Second Chance Jobs for Felons. More than 60,000 people who returned to society after time in confinement rely upon his website each month. His website:
Focuses on helping people with criminal backgrounds. By adhering to his advice, people can overcome some of the challenges of transitioning into the labor market. I encourage others to rely upon his website as a resource for information. He offers guidance that will others overcome the stigma of a criminal conviction.
Weldon Long made some bad decisions as a young man. He went to prison. While incarcerated he struggled until he found education. Once he discovered the power of education, he applied himself fully. Weldon earned an undergraduate in prison and he earned a master's degree in prison. Then, Weldon used his education to build extraordinarily successful businesses upon release.
Listen to Welson'd amazing story about success through prison and beyond on today's Earning Freedom podcast.
President Obama commuted Israel Torres' sentence. A federal judge sentenced Mr. Torres to life in prison. While serving the life sentence, Mr. Torres kept hope alive and focused on steps he could take to prepare for success upon release--he always believed release would come. As a consequence of his successful adjustment, the President granted Israel liberty. He now lives as a contributing and productive member of society. Simultaneously, Israel works to for the brothers he left behind in prison: Michael Homes, James Ortega, and thousands of others who could live in society as law-abiding citizens if reforms were possible to release them.
Malik King offers more insight about people serving lengthy sentences in prison. He is an advocate who works to end mass incarceration.
Donald Gridiron is on his way to prison. It's a big challenge for anyone, especially for a well educated man who didn't have any previous experience with the criminal justice system. In today's Earning Freedom episode, Donald describes how a gambling addiction led him into the criminal justice system. He also talks about help he received from Justin Paperny at White Collar Prison Advice.
Scott Clark had been a successful businessman. Some decisions he made regarding raising capital led him to the crosshairs of prosecutors. Soon after agreeing to plead guilty, Scott contacted Justin Paperny of White Collar Prison Advice. That call brought Scott hope. In today's Earning Freedom podcast, Scott speaks about the strategies he learned from Justin on preparing for prison.
Alexis shares her inspiring story on the Earning Freedom podcast. She describes being abused by a pimp as a young woman. After years of prostitution, authorities sentenced her to a lengthy prison term. Upon being separated from her family, she made a commitment to transform her life. While in a prison cell, Alexis stayed away from trouble and focused on ways to prepare for success. Her story reveals the power of the human spirit, showing how anyone can become more than past bad decisions. Follow her @leckiebutterfly
Today's show on Earning Freedom podcast features an amazing success story. Richard Esteras (@RichardEsteras) got involved in crime as a young man. Bad decisions led him to prison. While in prison, he made a decision to change his life. In this episode, he describes how he found strength while locked inside of a solitary cell. Then, he used lessons from those experience to launch a successful career as an incredible actor. He stars in many films, including the following:
Year of the Snake
Your Second Chance
Drifted
A Short Film About Execution
School for Gods
Hood
And Many more. Check out his bio here:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5612119/
I met Malik King at an event that celebrated FAMM's 25th anniversary in Washington DC. When I met Malik, I asked if he was formerly incarcerated. He told me that he had never been to prison, but he corresponded with more than 200 federal prisoners. He is an inspiration, showing people that even though they may have made bad decisions in the past, they can prepare for lives of success and meaning and relevance. He offers his biography and contact information below.
Malik King
I was born in 1964 in Manhattan, New York; grew up in Queens and moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1982 to attend College. I received a degree in Business Administration/Computer Science in 1987. Growing up in New York, I had a diverse group of friends, some of whom friends got caught up in the street life and ended up in both state and/or federal prisons.
I started writing to prisoners when I moved to Atlanta and became passionate about helping disadvantaged people in numerous ways, such as donating clothing to the homeless, providing hope, inspiration and support to individuals that are incarcerated regardless of race, color, creed or religious belief. I is a Prisoner Activist and advocate who opposes mandatory minimums, cruel and unusual punishment and torture that comes in many forms, including solitary confinement or draconian sentences that do not fit the crime.
I started mentoring inmates in Atlanta through a program called Priority Male Initiative in 2014.
I has collected literally thousands of letters from inmates he has corresponded with over the years and he currently emails over 180 inmates via Corrlinks [the inmates email service]. He enjoys providing assistance in areas where inmates may need assistance regarding changes in the law, or news stories about criminal justice reform.
Numerous authors, including Piper Kerman of Orange is The New Black have donated books to me to disburse to inmates.
E.P.I.C.'s Mission:
“To aide incarcerated individuals by breaking up their monotonous routine by providing inspirational quotes, book raffles, essay and poetry contests via email which gives everyone a chance to vent and tell their story with positive, constructive, criticism. I also share noteworthy information tailored to certain individuals, be it music, sports, technology, politics, or legal news related to the Clemency Program 2014, 924c Stacking Laws, the Drugs Minus Two Amendment or the latest news coming from our Capitol.
“I’m in contact with several individuals that received clemency on December 17th, 2014 and July 13th, 2015. I believe everyone should find something that calms their spirit and allows their minds to travel outside the prison walls. Everyone should determine what they are passionate about and pursue it. I believe that all low level, non-violent drug offenders deserve a second chance and should receive clemency if they fit the Clemency Program 2014 criteria.”
E.P.I.C. stands for END PRISON INDUSTRIAL COMPLEXES
To reach me on CORRLINKS they can send an invite to - EVERLAST7@HOTMAIL.COM
To reach me for anything else they can reach me at - ENDPRISONINDUSTRIALCOMPLEXES@HOTMAIL.COM
Your comrade in the struggle for Freedom, Justice and Equality –
Malik
Michael Endres is an amazing man. He went to prison as a young man without much in the way of direction. A violent crime resulted in his receiving a lengthy sentence. While incarcerated, however, Michael realized that he wanted to change his ways. He saw education as being the best opportunity to build a new life. Michael enrolled in school. He earned an bachelor's degree. Then he earned a master's degree. Then he earned a Ph.D. degree. Now Michael, or Dr. Endres, works to create programs that will help more incarcerated people prepare for success.
Today I interviewed Marcus White for the second time. He talks about his adjusting in society after decades in prison. Below is a brief bio he wrote.
At nineteen years old the penal system had nearly captured the rest of
my natural life for gang violence. Sitting in a jail cell paralyzed
with this gripping fear that i'd die in a prison I found myself on
many nights with tears in my eyes as I clung to hope for a second
chance. Fortunately for me that second chance came in the form of
18yr. 9mon. prison plea agreement. Overwhelmed with a sense of
gratitude and a new zeal for life, I vowed to use these years to
better myself. First by ridding myself of the gang infested mentality
that had enslaved my mind and dictated my actions for so many years.
Secondly pursuing personal growth relentlessly, taken advantaged of
all the programs DOC had to offer, and engaging myself in any and
every curriculum I could get my hands on. And sixteen and a half years
later I returned home with this nagging ambition to execute the plan
that I had devised while sitting in a prison cell fantasizing about
what my freedom looked like. Today five months and three weeks after
my release, I work for an amazing non-profit serving the people in my
community with furniture and mattress to sleep on, while pursuing a
career change as a carpenter apprentice. Volunteering my spare time
speaking with legislators about unjust laws and making a strong case
for reform. What i'm most proud about is the mentorship programs I'm
involved in and working with at risk youth. Giving back to the
communities that I spent all my adolescent years taken from. And I'm
thanking God everyday for the opportunities he continues to afford my
newly found freedom.
Sincerely,
Marcus L. White
Success After Three Times in Prison
John Thomas started making bad decisions as a young man. He sold drugs and went to prison. While in prison, John continued making bad decisions. Those decisions resulted in his serving many years longer than he had to serve. He could’ve been released after five years. Yet his adjustment in prison resulted in his serving nine years. After he was released, John reverted to the type of behavior that got him into trouble the first time. Within 88 days, he returned to prison. Then he got out, again he returned to prison.
In today’s podcast, John talks about what he learned through the experience. He also tells us what he wish he would’ve known at the start of his journey. Then he talks about how he built a business that has kept him crime free and living a much happier life as a self-employed entrepreneur.
Learn from John Thomas’ success.
He wrote the following open letter to describe more about his journey:
My name is John Thomas early in my life I had a desire to help my family in others to escape poverty. However where I was raised they were very few examples of how to do it. To me it looked like the only people who had money were the hustlers, drug dealers, and the bootleggers(illegal liquor sells).I chose to Deal drugs and at the age of 19 I was sentenced to 30 years serve 20 years in prison for Trafficking Cocaine.I ended up doing 9 years and 1 month before paroled, but with no plan it only took me 88 days to find myself back in the prison system. Finally after 3 times in prison I was able to answer this question bothered me for 6 months while I was in isolation confinement, (23 hours a day lock down.) Finally I was able to identify somethings that I realized were sending me back. First it had to deal with what I saw when I looked at myself? No I realized with limited skills and no job I had to invest in myself to learn how to start my own business. I was introduced to network marketing where I was introduced Personal Development. I remember reading and listening to anything they inspired me to live my best life. While doing this I learned how to market online and begin doing videos and facebook ads that allowed me to share how to overcome struggle. Even though many of the people I spoke would had never been to a physical prison I was able to help them become aware of the mental prison of limitation many were living in. This led me Coaching, and many were Entrepreneurs also, so I was able to teach them how to build a business online. I have been doing this now for almost 4 years. I am now looking to help more people as well as inmates being released to take advantage of the unlimited opportunities that exist if you believe in yourself and are willing to invest in yourself. I've have personally spent thousands of dollars on coaches and training to enhance my skills and continue to.
Shakoure Char Carpenter grew up in a tough, New York environment. As a young boy, leaders from the streets influenced him. He got sucked into their lifestyle. The friends he chose led him into deeper problems than he could imagine. At 18, authorities arrested him for felony murder. A judge slammed Shakoure with a life sentence. He served 23 years in high-security prisons.
While incarcerated, Shakoure made a commitment to prepare for success. He educated himself. When resources dried up, eliminating funding for prisoners to study toward a university degree, he kept going. After 18 years in prison, he earned his first bachelors degree. Then he earned another, and eventually he earned a master’s degree.
Shakoure is a mastermind. Rather than being traumatized by life term in prison, he found strength from within. He rejected the criminal lifestyle and prepared for success. His podcast describes strategies that empowered him through the decades he served. Now that he’s free, Shakoure works to improve outcomes for others.
Below is a copy of his bio and the impressive work that he’s done.
Shakoure Char Carpenter
MEDIA INTRODUCTION:
Pascual “Shakoure Char” Carpenter (pronounced Sha-kori Shar) is a stage actor, ministerial counselor, social media entrepreneur, and screenwriter. In addition to published poetry and commentaries, he has written four screenplays, one of which completed as quarterfinalist at the International Filmmakers Script Competition, 2009.
Shakoure is also the founder of Scripticket.com, an upcoming social media startup that bridges moviegoers, screenwriters, and production studios.
Academically, he has earned three college degrees, including two Bachelor of Science degrees, a Master’s in Professional Studies and over a dozen other certifications. What makes these accomplishments interesting, however, is that he earned them while incarcerated in the State of New York.
After a controversial life sentence for an unjust, high profile conviction, Shakoure vowed to develop his potential to the highest extent possible while behind the wall.
This led many on the outside to take interest in his case and a subsequent documentary that was instrumental in his campaign for release.
Today, after a year of walking out a free man, Shakoure has taken his experience, education, and entrepreneurial skills to found a new, uniquely positioned production venture called From Bars II Benjamins. In the foregoing interview, we’ll let him tell us more about what this organization is about and the unique impact it is trying to effect in the world of reentry.
Short Award-Winning Documentary: 23 Reasons
Press: NY Times Article (day after release)
https://www.facebook.com/FromBarsIIBenjamins
https://twitter.com/FBIIB?s=09
Conquering Prison
Rodney White is a native of Richmond Virginia and served 15 years of an 18-year sentence for drugs and firearm charges. He tells his inspiring story on the Earning Freedom podcast. After release from prison, Rodney became an award winning sales person, motivational speaker, facilitator, community college academic adviser, and radio host.
Audiences are drawn to Rodney because of his unique ability to develop and deliver practical solutions to people in transition and growth. His strength is in providing simple strategies that enable individuals and organizations to pursue their goals with confidence and clarity. In his “R.E.A.D. to Succeed,” motivational program Rodney delivers a message that inspires and teaches a very simplistic way of problem solving.
Drawing on skills honed as an inmate, salesperson, business owner, and speaker, Rodney has created and conducted training programs for groups ranging from trade associations to governmental agencies and educational institutions. Rodney’s insightful program makes an impact instead of an impression because they regularly include the use of humor, powerful examples, and frequent audience involvement. His client list includes Richmond Public Schools, National Work Force Development Association, Virginia Department of Corrections, Goodwill Industries, Federal Bureau of Prisons, The US Justice Department, and a host of other business and education-related organizations.
In addition to his success as a speaker, Rodney is an accomplished producer. His latest DVD, “R.E.A.D. to Succeed from prison to paradise,” with Rodney White, offers a powerfully practical way to get better results in times of change and reentry.
Rodney is also a member of the International Honor Society and graduated with honors from the University of Richmond and earned a Master’s degree in Adult Education at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro NC where he resides and works as an academic adviser for a local community college.
When asked about his approach to life,
Rodney responds by saying that “Every setback is a setup for a great comeback.” Rodney is active in his community and because of his commitment to improving the lives of others; Rodney has been presented several awards and honors as a speaker and has volunteered with youth programs such as Street Law and Richmond Midnight Basketball League. He is a consultant and mentor with R.O.O.T.S (Reinventing Ourselves Outside of The System) an offender based reentry program started within the Richmond City Jail.
Rodney is CEO of the Rodney White Group; a business meeting the training and development needs of individuals and organizations.
--
Gang Leader Transformation: Becoming Published Author
I interviewed Abner Garcia, a remarkable young man who transformed his life while serving lengthy prison terms. He is an inspiration to anyone in prison, showing that at any time, a man can become more than past bad decisions. He grew up in a gang infested neighborhood and become a product of the streets that attracted him. While incarcerated, he chose a different path.
Learn from his leadership.
Below I include information about the career Abner created after decades in prison.
The Pastor’s Son – Back Cover
Abner Garcia Falero, the sixth son of a renowned pastor, grew up in the shadow of his parents’ painful divorce. His life began to unravel at an escalating pace when as a young boy he realized that his broken family now lived a life of poverty and hardship. Confronted by constant struggle, juvenile delinquency, crime, violence, and an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness, Abner had to choose between life and death. It was the consequences of his decisions that led him to the singular most life-altering encounter he would ever experience. This moment of divine intervention ultimately led him to his destiny—to be a witness of God’s tremendous power and grace to rescue a life from the grip of darkness and bring in into the light.
About the Author
Abner Garcia Falero was born in New York City as the youngest son of a large Puerto Rican Christian family. For almost two decades, he lived a life of crime, was a member of two notorious gangs, and was charged with violent felonies. While serving a prison sentence in solitary confinement, God revealed himself to Abner, and his life was supernaturally transformed. Today, Abner is a minister at Destiny International Church under the covering of Bishop Efrain Nieves and Pastor Daniel Nieves. He lives with his wife, gospel recording artist and minister Paulis Sanchez, and his son, Sebastian. Together they travel the world and share the radical message of God’s power to transform lives and His unending grace for salvation.
Dr. Jesse De La Cruz: Prison Gangster to Community Leader, part 2
So proud to feature part two of my interview with Dr. Jesse De La Cruz, a formerly incarcerated prisoner who emerged incredibly successfully--as a doctor of education and judicial expert. Check out his resume. Listen and watch his amazing two-part story on Earning Freedom, at MichaelSantos.com
Dr. Jesse De La Cruz
JSD Consultations
P.O. Box 1993 Stockton, CA 95201
Cell: 209-423-4794
Email: jesse.delacruz588@gmail.com
www.jsdconsultations.com
Education:
Ed.D: California State University, Stanislaus Turlock, CA 2014
Concentration: Gangs
Dissertation: Mexican American/Chicano gang members’ voice on social control in the context of school and community: A critical ethnographic case study in Stockton, California
Masters of Social Work: California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA 2003
Concentration: Deviant behavior
Thesis: An evaluation of a substance-abuse treatment program for criminal offenders
Bachelors: Sociology, California State University, Turlock, CA 2001
______________________________________________________________________________ Teaching Experience:
Instructor 2010–2012
Heald College
Taught Courses in: Police Procedures Theory and Practice; Corrections; Juvenile Delinquency; Victimology; Introduction into Criminology; Criminology; Organized Crime, Street Gangs & Terrorism.
Teaching Assistant (TA)
California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA 2011 2012
___________________________________________________________________________
Personal Experience:
My involvement with gangs spans 50 years, beginning with my initiation into a street gang at age 13. In 1973, at age 21, I became a member of the Nuestra Familia prison gang while serving time at Deuel Vocational Institution (DVI). I left the NF once I was released from prison in 1976. After my defection from the gang, I maintained a high degree of respect from my street gang homeboys simply because I never testified against any of my former Homeboys. In the course of my criminal career and going in and out of prison for twenty-eight years, I witnessed the proliferation of gangs. Mostly, I observed all the superficial, and few substantial changes between old and modern gangs. In 1996, I was released from prison for the last time and have turned my life completely around. However, as a result of my multiple gang involvement (street and prison), and my many years in different jails and prisons throughout the state of California, Texas and Washington, I have developed a unique and thorough insight into the gang phenomena that neither law enforcement nor academics can ever achieve because they have never been on the inside of a gang or served time in jail or prison.
______________________________________________________________________________
Academic & Professional Experience:
Since leaving prison for the last time on April 2, 1996, I have earned three University degrees and each of my degrees has been primarily the study and research of gangs. It is due to these distinct achievements, coupled with my personal experience, that I have been qualified on many occasions to testify as an expert witness.
I have testified in:
I have also participated in aiding lawyers in preparation of testimony and given opinions on approximately 95 gang cases. Currently, I am working one death penalty case in Tulare County and a post conviction death case with the Habeas Corpus Resource Center in San Francisco CA. I have also worked with the Federal Public Defenders Office on a case out of Sacramento, CA on a post conviction case and two other post conviction cases in Oregon. I am also currently working on four R.I.C.O. cases and expected to testify late October or early November on one R.I.C.O. case in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Consultant & Mentor for Fathers & Families of San Joaquin: I currently work with and mentor gang members who are interested in leaving their gang. I provide the gang member guidance and resource information that will facilitate their transition from the gang lifestyle into mainstream society. On-Going
Founder of Criminals & Gang members Anonymous: A 12-Step program for gang members and criminals alike that addresses problems pertaining to gang & criminal involvement. Group membership is constantly evolving. As a result, new members bring with them a wealth of current information, which keeps me abreast of gang trends, both locally and on a state level. 1998-On-Going
Founder Of Jonah Foundation: A sober living facility that provided counseling and sustenance for ex-offenders. It was through the group counseling and rap sessions that I developed meaningful contacts with the participants, all who had just been released from prison or jail. These men were attempting to disassociate themselves from the gang/criminal lifestyle. To date, many of them continue to share with me valuable gang and other crimino-genic trends. 2006-2008
Program Director of a Day Reporting Center: In 2008, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation awarded BI, Inc. a contract to operate a facility targeting high-risk offenders. The intent of this program was to alter the behavior of the offender by using evidence-based practices. I was the day-to-day operations manager in charge of insuring that the safety and security of my employees, and the clients, was assured. In the process of my daily interactions with clients who were just recently released from California State Prison and out of state prisons as well, I was fortunate to gather intelligence concerning not only state gang trends, but national gang trends too. 2008-2010
__________________________________________________________________________
Publications:
Detoured: My Journey from Darkness to Light. Barking Rooster Publications: Los Angeles, CA (My Memoir)
Journal of Prisoners on Prisons: Volume 21, Number 1 & 2, 2012
___________________________________________________________________________
Presentations:
Gang Involvement: A Look at Why Minors Join Gangs and How WE Can Reach Our Youth. The 41st National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE), Dallas, Texas 2012
Seeing Ourselves Emancipating Our Dialogue: Research as Hope From Incarceration Today And Tomorrow. Presented at the 2nd Annual Alliance for Multilingual Multicultural Education Conference: San Antonio, Texas 2011
Facilitated Gang Awareness Workshops:
Merced Unified School District: Merced,
Stockton Unified School District: Stockton, CA
Roseville School District: Roseville, CA
Parks & Recreation Department: Stockton, CA
Monterey County Juvenile Hall: Salinas, CA
San Francisco County Juvenile Hall: San Francisco, CA
Alameda Juvenile Hall: Oakland, CA
San Joaquin Delta College: Stockton, CA
CSU Stanislaus: Turlock, CA
______________________________________________________________________________
Some cases I have testified on and/or participated as a gang expert/consultant:
People vs. Arturo Manzanero
Rancho San Pedro Sureño Gang Case
Henry Salcido Attorney at Law
Long Beach, CA
562-597-9925
Defendant found not guilty of
Gang allegation
People vs. Hernandez et. al.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
RICO Case
Michael Wiseman Attorney at Law
121 Locust Street
Philadelphia PA 19107
215-450-0903
5 defendants found guilty
7 found not guilty
People vs. Angel Rivera
Stanislaus County
Norteño Gang Case
Ben Jacob Attorney at Law
770 L Street #950
Sacramento, CA 95814
Defendant Found Not Guilty
People vs. Herrera, Pedro
Santa Clara County
Norteño Gang Case
Lindsey Dazel: Attorney at Law
93 Devine Street Suite 203
San Jose, CA 95110
408-271-2969
Jury Hung 11 to 1 for acquittal
People vs. Alvarez
San Mateo County
Norteño Gang Case
Maria Fonseca: Attorney at Law
702 Marshall Street Suite 511
Redwood City CA 94063
650-367-7727
Gang Allegations Dismissed
As a Result of my Testimony
At Preliminary Hearing
People vs. Espinoza et. al
Sacramento County
Sureño Gang Case
Keith Staten: Attorney at Law
1023 H. St. Suite A
Sacramento CA 95814
(916) 443-5600
Defendants Found Guilty
People vs. Andrew Rodríguez
Santa Clara County
Norteño Gang Case
Timothy Clancy: Attorney at Law
1290 B Street, suite 304
Hayward, CA 94541
510-409-5413
Defendant Found Not Guilty of Gang Allegation
People vs. Bustamante et. al
Santa Clara County
Norteño Gang Case
Lindsey Dazel: Attorney at Law
93 Devine Street Suite 203
San Jose, CA 95110
408-271-2969
Defendants Found Not Guilty of Gang Allegation
People vs. Sebourne et.al Homicide
Sureño Gang Case
Stanislaus County
Gregory Bentley: Attorney at Law
500 Broadway
San Francisco CA 94133
415-986-5591
Hung Jury. Set for Re-Trial
People vs. Ernesto Munguia: Gang Injunction
Norteño Gang Case
Stanislaus County
Mark Girdner: Attorney at Law
811 15th Street
Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 524-7600
Defendant Found Not Guilty
People vs. Velasco
LASC, South Central District (Compton)
Don Kelly Attorney at Law
317 Rosecrans Blvd # 2 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310-546-6700
Gang allegations: Not Guilty
People vs. Errik Roman: Attempted Homicide
Sureño Gang Case
Santa Barbara County
K.C. Williamson: Attorney at Law
Santa Barbara Public Defender
Santa Barbara, CA
Defendant Found Guilty
People vs. Rocky Riberal- Homicide
Norteño Gang Case
San Joaquin County
Ralph Cingcon: Attorney at Law
5250 Claremont Ave
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 462-5600
Defendant Found Guilty
People vs. Niaz Mohammed Khoshnaw- Homicide
Norteño Gang Case
Hillsborough County
Edie Rogoway: Attorney at Law
6312 SW Capitol Highway # 1102
Portland, OR 97239
(503) 334-0331
Defendant Found Guilty
People vs. Jah-Kari, Phyall- Homicide
Stanislaus County
Norteño Gang Case
Frank Carson: Attorney at Law
815 15th Street
Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 549-0984
Defendant Found Not Guilty
People vs. Elizondo, Christian Orlando- Possession of Drugs/Firearm
Norteño Gang Case- Defendant Plead to Lesser Charge:
San Joaquin County
David Atkinson: Attorney at Law
343 East Main Street Suite 911
Stockton, CA 95202
Gang Enhancement Dismissed
People vs. Eady, Howard Lamont-Homicide
Sutter Street Crip Gang Case
Douglass C. Jacobsen: Attorney at Law
1811 Grand Canal Blvd., Suite 2
Stockton, CA 95207-8107
Gang Allegation Dismissed: Defendant pled guilty to 22 years.
People vs. Orozco, Josue- Homicide
Sureño Gang Case
San Mateo, County,
Ray, Buenaventura: Attorney at Law
2171 Junipero Serra Blvd.
Daly City, CA 94014
Ph. (650) 756-2000
Hung Jury: Defendant Pled to 43 Years
People vs. Gonzalez, Abel, Jr.-Drug Trafficking
Sureño Gang Case
Ted, Bastian, Jr.: Attorney at Law
600 Fourth St. P.O. Box431
Yreka, CA 96097
Ph. (530) 842-2000
Defendant Pled to Seven Years. Gang Enhancement Dismissed.
People vs. Shifflett, William Jr. Drug Possession
Arron, Williams: Attorney at Law
1721 Court St Redding, CA 96001
Ph. (530) 241-6991
Defendant Pled: Gang Allegation Dismissed
People vs. Lieffer, Donald- Homicide
Alleged Northern Peckerwood Gang Case
Charles Slote: Attorney at Law
305 N. El Dorado Suite, 301
Stockton, CA 95202
Ph. (209) 948-5711
Gang Enhancement Dismissed After My Testimony at Preliminary
So proud to feature Dr. Jesse De La Cruz, a formerly incarcerated prisoner who emerged incredibly successfully--as a doctor of education and judicial expert. Check out his resume. Listen and watch his amazing two-part story on Earning Freedom, at MichaelSantos.com
Dr. Jesse De La Cruz
JSD Consultations
P.O. Box 1993 Stockton, CA 95201
Cell: 209-423-4794
Email: jesse.delacruz588@gmail.com
www.jsdconsultations.com
Education:
Ed.D: California State University, Stanislaus Turlock, CA 2014
Concentration: Gangs
Dissertation: Mexican American/Chicano gang members’ voice on social control in the context of school and community: A critical ethnographic case study in Stockton, California
Masters of Social Work: California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA 2003
Concentration: Deviant behavior
Thesis: An evaluation of a substance-abuse treatment program for criminal offenders
Bachelors: Sociology, California State University, Turlock, CA 2001
______________________________________________________________________________ Teaching Experience:
Instructor 2010–2012
Heald College
Taught Courses in: Police Procedures Theory and Practice; Corrections; Juvenile Delinquency; Victimology; Introduction into Criminology; Criminology; Organized Crime, Street Gangs & Terrorism.
Teaching Assistant (TA)
California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA 2011 2012
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Personal Experience:
My involvement with gangs spans 50 years, beginning with my initiation into a street gang at age 13. In 1973, at age 21, I became a member of the Nuestra Familia prison gang while serving time at Deuel Vocational Institution (DVI). I left the NF once I was released from prison in 1976. After my defection from the gang, I maintained a high degree of respect from my street gang homeboys simply because I never testified against any of my former Homeboys. In the course of my criminal career and going in and out of prison for twenty-eight years, I witnessed the proliferation of gangs. Mostly, I observed all the superficial, and few substantial changes between old and modern gangs. In 1996, I was released from prison for the last time and have turned my life completely around. However, as a result of my multiple gang involvement (street and prison), and my many years in different jails and prisons throughout the state of California, Texas and Washington, I have developed a unique and thorough insight into the gang phenomena that neither law enforcement nor academics can ever achieve because they have never been on the inside of a gang or served time in jail or prison.
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Academic & Professional Experience:
Since leaving prison for the last time on April 2, 1996, I have earned three University degrees and each of my degrees has been primarily the study and research of gangs. It is due to these distinct achievements, coupled with my personal experience, that I have been qualified on many occasions to testify as an expert witness.
I have testified in:
I have also participated in aiding lawyers in preparation of testimony and given opinions on approximately 95 gang cases. Currently, I am working one death penalty case in Tulare County and a post conviction death case with the Habeas Corpus Resource Center in San Francisco CA. I have also worked with the Federal Public Defenders Office on a case out of Sacramento, CA on a post conviction case and two other post conviction cases in Oregon. I am also currently working on four R.I.C.O. cases and expected to testify late October or early November on one R.I.C.O. case in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Consultant & Mentor for Fathers & Families of San Joaquin: I currently work with and mentor gang members who are interested in leaving their gang. I provide the gang member guidance and resource information that will facilitate their transition from the gang lifestyle into mainstream society. On-Going
Founder of Criminals & Gang members Anonymous: A 12-Step program for gang members and criminals alike that addresses problems pertaining to gang & criminal involvement. Group membership is constantly evolving. As a result, new members bring with them a wealth of current information, which keeps me abreast of gang trends, both locally and on a state level. 1998-On-Going
Founder Of Jonah Foundation: A sober living facility that provided counseling and sustenance for ex-offenders. It was through the group counseling and rap sessions that I developed meaningful contacts with the participants, all who had just been released from prison or jail. These men were attempting to disassociate themselves from the gang/criminal lifestyle. To date, many of them continue to share with me valuable gang and other crimino-genic trends. 2006-2008
Program Director of a Day Reporting Center: In 2008, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation awarded BI, Inc. a contract to operate a facility targeting high-risk offenders. The intent of this program was to alter the behavior of the offender by using evidence-based practices. I was the day-to-day operations manager in charge of insuring that the safety and security of my employees, and the clients, was assured. In the process of my daily interactions with clients who were just recently released from California State Prison and out of state prisons as well, I was fortunate to gather intelligence concerning not only state gang trends, but national gang trends too. 2008-2010
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Publications:
Detoured: My Journey from Darkness to Light. Barking Rooster Publications: Los Angeles, CA (My Memoir)
Journal of Prisoners on Prisons: Volume 21, Number 1 & 2, 2012
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Presentations:
Gang Involvement: A Look at Why Minors Join Gangs and How WE Can Reach Our Youth. The 41st National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE), Dallas, Texas 2012
Seeing Ourselves Emancipating Our Dialogue: Research as Hope From Incarceration Today And Tomorrow. Presented at the 2nd Annual Alliance for Multilingual Multicultural Education Conference: San Antonio, Texas 2011
Facilitated Gang Awareness Workshops:
Merced Unified School District: Merced,
Stockton Unified School District: Stockton, CA
Roseville School District: Roseville, CA
Parks & Recreation Department: Stockton, CA
Monterey County Juvenile Hall: Salinas, CA
San Francisco County Juvenile Hall: San Francisco, CA
Alameda Juvenile Hall: Oakland, CA
San Joaquin Delta College: Stockton, CA
CSU Stanislaus: Turlock, CA
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Some cases I have testified on and/or participated as a gang expert/consultant:
People vs. Arturo Manzanero
Rancho San Pedro Sureño Gang Case
Henry Salcido Attorney at Law
Long Beach, CA
562-597-9925
Defendant found not guilty of
Gang allegation
People vs. Hernandez et. al.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
RICO Case
Michael Wiseman Attorney at Law
121 Locust Street
Philadelphia PA 19107
215-450-0903
5 defendants found guilty
7 found not guilty
People vs. Angel Rivera
Stanislaus County
Norteño Gang Case
Ben Jacob Attorney at Law
770 L Street #950
Sacramento, CA 95814
Defendant Found Not Guilty
People vs. Herrera, Pedro
Santa Clara County
Norteño Gang Case
Lindsey Dazel: Attorney at Law
93 Devine Street Suite 203
San Jose, CA 95110
408-271-2969
Jury Hung 11 to 1 for acquittal
People vs. Alvarez
San Mateo County
Norteño Gang Case
Maria Fonseca: Attorney at Law
702 Marshall Street Suite 511
Redwood City CA 94063
650-367-7727
Gang Allegations Dismissed
As a Result of my Testimony
At Preliminary Hearing
People vs. Espinoza et. al
Sacramento County
Sureño Gang Case
Keith Staten: Attorney at Law
1023 H. St. Suite A
Sacramento CA 95814
(916) 443-5600
Defendants Found Guilty
People vs. Andrew Rodríguez
Santa Clara County
Norteño Gang Case
Timothy Clancy: Attorney at Law
1290 B Street, suite 304
Hayward, CA 94541
510-409-5413
Defendant Found Not Guilty of Gang Allegation
People vs. Bustamante et. al
Santa Clara County
Norteño Gang Case
Lindsey Dazel: Attorney at Law
93 Devine Street Suite 203
San Jose, CA 95110
408-271-2969
Defendants Found Not Guilty of Gang Allegation
People vs. Sebourne et.al Homicide
Sureño Gang Case
Stanislaus County
Gregory Bentley: Attorney at Law
500 Broadway
San Francisco CA 94133
415-986-5591
Hung Jury. Set for Re-Trial
People vs. Ernesto Munguia: Gang Injunction
Norteño Gang Case
Stanislaus County
Mark Girdner: Attorney at Law
811 15th Street
Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 524-7600
Defendant Found Not Guilty
People vs. Velasco
LASC, South Central District (Compton)
Don Kelly Attorney at Law
317 Rosecrans Blvd # 2 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310-546-6700
Gang allegations: Not Guilty
People vs. Errik Roman: Attempted Homicide
Sureño Gang Case
Santa Barbara County
K.C. Williamson: Attorney at Law
Santa Barbara Public Defender
Santa Barbara, CA
Defendant Found Guilty
People vs. Rocky Riberal- Homicide
Norteño Gang Case
San Joaquin County
Ralph Cingcon: Attorney at Law
5250 Claremont Ave
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 462-5600
Defendant Found Guilty
People vs. Niaz Mohammed Khoshnaw- Homicide
Norteño Gang Case
Hillsborough County
Edie Rogoway: Attorney at Law
6312 SW Capitol Highway # 1102
Portland, OR 97239
(503) 334-0331
Defendant Found Guilty
People vs. Jah-Kari, Phyall- Homicide
Stanislaus County
Norteño Gang Case
Frank Carson: Attorney at Law
815 15th Street
Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 549-0984
Defendant Found Not Guilty
People vs. Elizondo, Christian Orlando- Possession of Drugs/Firearm
Norteño Gang Case- Defendant Plead to Lesser Charge:
San Joaquin County
David Atkinson: Attorney at Law
343 East Main Street Suite 911
Stockton, CA 95202
Gang Enhancement Dismissed
People vs. Eady, Howard Lamont-Homicide
Sutter Street Crip Gang Case
Douglass C. Jacobsen: Attorney at Law
1811 Grand Canal Blvd., Suite 2
Stockton, CA 95207-8107
Gang Allegation Dismissed: Defendant pled guilty to 22 years.
People vs. Orozco, Josue- Homicide
Sureño Gang Case
San Mateo, County,
Ray, Buenaventura: Attorney at Law
2171 Junipero Serra Blvd.
Daly City, CA 94014
Ph. (650) 756-2000
Hung Jury: Defendant Pled to 43 Years
People vs. Gonzalez, Abel, Jr.-Drug Trafficking
Sureño Gang Case
Ted, Bastian, Jr.: Attorney at Law
600 Fourth St. P.O. Box431
Yreka, CA 96097
Ph. (530) 842-2000
Defendant Pled to Seven Years. Gang Enhancement Dismissed.
People vs. Shifflett, William Jr. Drug Possession
Arron, Williams: Attorney at Law
1721 Court St Redding, CA 96001
Ph. (530) 241-6991
Defendant Pled: Gang Allegation Dismissed
People vs. Lieffer, Donald- Homicide
Alleged Northern Peckerwood Gang Case
Charles Slote: Attorney at Law
305 N. El Dorado Suite, 301
Stockton, CA 95202
Ph. (209) 948-5711
Gang Enhancement Dismissed After My Testimony at Preliminary