Darrell Johnson gets life without parole for $20 drug referral to undercover agent
Johnson, a self-described crack addict was approached by an undercover officer about purchasing cocaine while working at Popeye. He referred her to someone who sold her two crack rocks for $20.
Johnson says he never sold the officer anything. Yet he was convicted of distribution of cocaine. He was initially sentenced to seven-and-a-half years but was subsequently sentenced to life without parole under Louisiana’s three-strikes law, because of prior convictions for simple burglary of a vehicle and possession of cocaine.
Johnson recalls of his sentencing, “It felt like my life was sucked right out of me.”
When he began serving his sentence at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, he reports he continued to struggle with drug addiction. He says, “Words cannot explain the heartaches I have endured being in Angola because of my drug addiction.”
During his incarceration, Johnson has completed substance abuse, anger management, and faith-based programs. Johnson is presently studying for his GED, as he had only completed the eighth grade prior to his incarceration.
“It feels as if there is no hope or life for you whatsoever,” he said of his sentence. “I would like a chance to prove myself to the world.”
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 Johnson to help him 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 Johnson's Legal Fund (Select Louisiana, Inmate ID=258866)
Note: 100% of your donation goes directly into the inmate's prison account.