Jeff Spaeni -- #03729-090

18 Years -- Cocaine Conspiracy

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, so no one else should.

Pictured: Jeff with his dad, stepmother, and brother Greg