Before prison I had a quiet persona first, not standoffish, but an isolated person who wanted to fit in with my fellow peer group. I don't have any older siblings and had always wanted an older brother. I found myself always looking for outsiders, besides family, to emulate my character and behavior after. My qualities included being a visual learner and I worked well with my hands. I was fortunate to experience traveling with my AAU Youth Basketball Team to different states and meeting people from all walks of life that differed from the people I was usually around. Many people said I was destined to go pro.
However, I also experienced domestic abuse, substance abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and emotional abuse which in turn resulted in self inflicted spiritual abuse and substance abuse. My household dynamic consisted of my mother, my younger sister and my stepfather who suffered from substance abuse. Outside of my home, I also had my biological father (who also suffered with substance abuse resulting in health issues) my entire life. Despite their circumstances, if I needed anything they would aid me to the best of their abilities.
At 22 years old, I was sentenced to Life without Parole plus 20 years. Now, I have served 19 years, soon to be 20 years in December 2025. I have taken every opportunity to take advantage of the programs available to me while incarcerated. The programming I have done includes the Youth Challenges Program, MRT Life Skills, Auto CAD and CIM Tech Software Proficiency and currently (and continuing daily) have 5.000 hours of experience as a clerk for M.C.E. Shop, just to name a select few. As of March 2025, I just Completed Peer Recovery Group Social Work. I have grown because I no longer blame others for my actions. I know that the senseless actions at my hands caused severe trauma to the victims family and my own. I know that I will have to spend the rest of my life trying to redeem and save my soul. The qualities I have now are extreme patience, a matured ego and am now family oriented, community organizing role model who loves to help others. I can see things and people for what they truly are and I can think critically now in all situations.
The relationship with my mother has also grown tremendously. I don't just recognize her as my mother, but as a woman, sister, grandmother, an aunt and friend to many. The same goes for my younger sister who was just fifteen years old when I left, now has just turned 35. But, during my incarceration I have lost many family members and mentors. With only only one living grandparent, I dream of one day visiting my grandmother who currently resides in West Virginia and enjoy her cooking me my favorite dinner with the marshmallows in the sweet potatoes. I'd love to surprise my mother and my sister by one day just showing up, knocking on the door and surprising them with the news of my return home. I can't wait to truly embrace my wife and show her how much I truly appreciate her and our children.
As of this year, my dream of owning my own LLC with my wife, to help youth, has come to fruition. I would like to continue my dream of running my own after school programs for kids ages 18 and under. I hope to help as many people as I can from making the same mistakes that I regretfully made in my past.
I am now goal oriented, empathetic, and passionate about self rehabilitation. I realize that I am connected to everything in existence and understand the quality of every single life. People matter and I want to help instill positive ways of thinking in others.
However, I also experienced domestic abuse, substance abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and emotional abuse which in turn resulted in self inflicted spiritual abuse and substance abuse. My household dynamic consisted of my mother, my younger sister and my stepfather who suffered from substance abuse. Outside of my home, I also had my biological father (who also suffered with substance abuse resulting in health issues) my entire life. Despite their circumstances, if I needed anything they would aid me to the best of their abilities.
At 22 years old, I was sentenced to Life without Parole plus 20 years. Now, I have served 19 years, soon to be 20 years in December 2025. I have taken every opportunity to take advantage of the programs available to me while incarcerated. The programming I have done includes the Youth Challenges Program, MRT Life Skills, Auto CAD and CIM Tech Software Proficiency and currently (and continuing daily) have 5.000 hours of experience as a clerk for M.C.E. Shop, just to name a select few. As of March 2025, I just Completed Peer Recovery Group Social Work. I have grown because I no longer blame others for my actions. I know that the senseless actions at my hands caused severe trauma to the victims family and my own. I know that I will have to spend the rest of my life trying to redeem and save my soul. The qualities I have now are extreme patience, a matured ego and am now family oriented, community organizing role model who loves to help others. I can see things and people for what they truly are and I can think critically now in all situations.
The relationship with my mother has also grown tremendously. I don't just recognize her as my mother, but as a woman, sister, grandmother, an aunt and friend to many. The same goes for my younger sister who was just fifteen years old when I left, now has just turned 35. But, during my incarceration I have lost many family members and mentors. With only only one living grandparent, I dream of one day visiting my grandmother who currently resides in West Virginia and enjoy her cooking me my favorite dinner with the marshmallows in the sweet potatoes. I'd love to surprise my mother and my sister by one day just showing up, knocking on the door and surprising them with the news of my return home. I can't wait to truly embrace my wife and show her how much I truly appreciate her and our children.
As of this year, my dream of owning my own LLC with my wife, to help youth, has come to fruition. I would like to continue my dream of running my own after school programs for kids ages 18 and under. I hope to help as many people as I can from making the same mistakes that I regretfully made in my past.
I am now goal oriented, empathetic, and passionate about self rehabilitation. I realize that I am connected to everything in existence and understand the quality of every single life. People matter and I want to help instill positive ways of thinking in others.