Thursday, March 28, 2024

Released After 21 Years, Matthew Charles Back in Prison to Finish 35-year Term

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*Attorneys and supporters of Nashville native Matthew Charles agree that he’s a “shining example” of rehabilitation.

Charles was sentenced to 35 years behind bars in 1996 for selling drugs. He was released after two decades when a federal judge reduced his sentence. Upon release, he finds a job, starts a relationship and sets out on his new and productive life.

According to The Hill, Charles “found a job, rented an apartment, and bought a car. He reconnected with his children and grandchildren and met a new woman to love. He became a weekly volunteer at a local food pantry.”

But sadly, a higher court has ruled that Charles must return to prison and finish out his original term due to a technicality.

“Charles never had a single disciplinary write-up in over twenty years in prison,” court documents filed by Charles’ attorneys say. Taking classes and working, he was a model inmate. On supervised release, his record is immaculate. He works full-time, does volunteer work to serve the poor, and is a shining example of what a person can, despite felony convictions, make of his life.”

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Charles has shared thoughts about his case on Facebook. “Today, May 14th, isn’t going to be a pleasant day for me,” he wrote in 2018.

“Those who know me personally or have heard about my situation, and the decision of the Federal prosecution to appeal my release and the Federal Court order sending me back, know that this is the day, I have to report back to Federal prison, (after I’ve already served nearly 21 actual years and have been out for nearly two years), but now the Court has ordered me to go and serve the remaining time of that old crack cocaine drug sentence imposed on me back in 1996.”

He added: “However, I love you all and would like to continue to solicit your prayers and support. Thank you most kindly.” Charles’ Facebook page before he went back to prison was filled with photos of food, pictures of him with family and friends, lifting weights, and some religious sayings. He wrote in April 2018, “Out the door to buy me a cup of coffee and be a blessing. Whether I receive any or not. However, whenever you be a blessing, you are automatically blessed. So strive to be a blessing everyday. ** HAPPY SATURDAY **”

Meanwhile, celebrities like Kim Kardashian and news sites have come to Charles’ Defense.

The Federalist, a conservative website, wrote a story headlined, “Why President Trump Should Commute The Sentence Of Matthew Charles.” The article opines that “In the case of Matthew Charles and others where the criminal justice system has failed, decisive action from a courageous president may be the only hope.”

Concluded the site, “Prisons serve at least two important purposes: one is to punish, another is to rehabilitate. Charles has been subject to both. Twenty-one years in prison is a quarter of a lifetime, a heavy price to pay for selling drugs. He emerged a positive member of society. This should be celebrated, not reversed.”

Trump has not weighed in on the matter, but more than 8,000 people have signed a Change.org petition seeking Matthew Charles’ release.

“Matthew Charles does not belong in prison for another day, let alone another decade. President Trump should use his clemency power to commute the rest of Charles’ sentence so he can return to his family and community,” the petition reads.

There’s also crowdfunding site raising “funds to hire a new legal team and for funds to help Matthew with commissary and savings for when he finally does get released. All of the funds raised with go directly to him and his legal team.”

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