Texas grandmother, Elisa Castillo used as a pawn in a cocaine trafficking operation. Life for first
Castillo worked as a bus station ticket-taker. Her boyfriend, a bus driver, advised her to become partners with a Mexican businessman who wanted to set up a Houston-based bus company. The businessman sent her money to purchase three tour buses that would travel between Mexico and Houston.
She says her Mexican contact sent her money to cover bus company expenses but never paid her the monthly salary she was promised. She maintains that she did not know she was being used as a pawn in a cocaine trafficking operation between Mexico and Houston and that she was unaware that the buses were outfitted with secret compartments in which cocaine was stashed.
Castillo received the harshest sentence of the approximately 68 people convicted for their involvement in the scheme. Her boyfriend, who had involved her in the conspiracy, was sentenced to only 25 years.
Read full story at ACLU Special Report. A Living Death: Life Without Parole for Nonviolent Offenses.
Many of the long serving inmates have no one left to support them. You can help by sharing their stories and asking others to do the same. Sign up to become an advocate for an inmate.
As voters, citizens, taxpayers and bystanders, we as a society have inhumanely punished thousands of nonviolent people. Currently Washington DC and 30 states have compensation statutes for wrongfully convicted inmates. Congress’ recommended amount is $63,000 for each year served. On the other hand, overly sentenced victims who in many cases have suffered equally or worse typically receive $20 and a bus ticket if they are fortunate enough to ever be released.
Select the link below to donate directly to Castillo to help her with legal and other expenses. Most of these inhumanely sentenced inmates don't remember the last time they were able to buy personal items or snacks from the commissary. No donation is too small. JPAY is used for state inmates and Western Union for federal.
No Harsh Justice inmate has ever been convicted of a violent crime.
Donate to Castillo's Legal Fund 67003-179castillo (Copy, Paste to the Account# Field)
Note: 100% of your donation goes directly into the inmate's prison account.