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Part One

A struggle with addiction

“I've always had problems dealing with depression. During my teens and on into my twenties I turned to substance abuse to cope with my issues.”

- Reflections of Alto Parnell

Young Alto Parnell

Growing up my childhood was kind of rough. I am the oldest of 3 sons and my mother was a single parent. I've always had problems dealing with depression. As a teen and into my twenties I turned to substance abuse to cope with my issues.

I sometimes dabbled in small drug dealing to maintain my drug habits which mostly consisted of lots of marijuana use. Looking back, I needed counseling & treatment.

First strike

SECOND
strike

THIRD
strike

Age 22 - Alto sold more than .5 grams of cocaine.

Sentence:

Probation

Download Case File

Part Two

My heart stopped beating

“My life sentence is my first time ever being in prison. It feels like America just threw me away.”

- Reflections of Alto Parnell

Going through the trial was one of the most seat clinching experiences of my life. My lawyer maintained the strong position that I was not in a drug conspiracy and that there is no way the prosecution could prove otherwise. That was the reason he decided we should turn down every plea deal. So with my small understanding of the law, I believed his opinion. That was a horrible decision.

When the judge sentenced me to life without parole, it felt like my heart stopped beating and all hope and faith vanished from the remainder of my whole life. I immediately thought about my mother and my nieces.

Not to be able to take care of my mother when she is elderly and help teach and bond with my 4 nieces for the rest of my life is a painful blow to my whole existence.

First
strike

SECOND strike

THIRD
strike

Age 24 - Alto sold less than .5 grams of cocaine.

Sentence:

Probation

Download Case File

Part Three

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

“What I was required to do that day was cruel.”

- Federal Judge Kevin Sharp

Federal Judge Kevin Sharp (Ret.)

Judge Kevin Sharp sentenced Alto to life in prison back in 2014. Today, Judge Sharp chokes up with emotion when he think about Alto’s case.

“If there was any way I could have not given him life in prison I would have done it," he says. "What they did was wrong, they deserved some time in prison, but not life.”

First
strike

SECOND
strike

THIRD strike

Age 29 - Alto convicted of drug conspiracy. He declined a plea deal & opted for trial.

Sentence:

Life Sentence

Download Case File

Part Four

A promise to my soul

“I will never let drugs come between me and my family ever again.”

- Reflections of Alto Parnell

Letter From Alto Parnell

As of today I try to gather up all and any faith, motivation and determination I can get to stay mentally strong. I've completed the Challenge Program, Drug Program, Stock Investing Class, Business Management Class.

I work as an orderly in the prison. I'm enrolled in Victim Impact Class and will hopefully graduate that in the next couple of months. If released I want to be able to take care of my mother, bond more with my family and teach and help raise my 4 nieces.

Alto Parnell

A struggle with addiction

My heart stopped beating

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

A promise to my soul

Ismael Rosa