Eduardo Rivera

27 Years -- Cocaine Conspiracy

My name is Eduardo Rivera and I am 42 years old. I was convicted on July 21, 1996 of a cocaine conspiracy and sentenced to 27 years in federal prison.

My wife's name is Maria de Carmen and we have two little girls, ages 3 and 6. We have been married 7 years. My wife tries to visit twice a month, but it is a two and a half hour trip here, and two and a half hours back and is expensive.

I have told Maria that I am essentially a dead person and that she must try to rebuild another life and remarry. But she is a staunch Catholic and cries each time I tell her.

I gave her my wedding band last week and told her it was for her own good. I will be very old before I am released.